Akufo-Addo intervenes in controversial SSNIT hotel sale saga

Akufo-Addo

President Nana Akufo-Addo has taken decisive action in response to concerns raised by Organised Labour over the contentious sale of four hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong.

Following a petition from Organised Labour urging a halt to the sale, President Akufo-Addo has instructed Employment and Labour Relations Minister Ignatius Baffour Awuah to initiate discussions with labour leaders. This directive aims to secure a resolution that respects the interests of all parties involved.

Dr. Yaw Baah, Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), confirmed the president’s intervention during a media briefing. "We wrote to the president that we needed to engage him on this [sale of the SSNIT hotels]. He has referred it to the [Employment and Labour Relations] Minister to start the engagement with us. We are hoping that these engagements will help all of us to find a solution to what we think is a problem," he stated.

Dr. Baah further indicated that Organized Labour leaders would soon meet with the SSNIT Board and the Employment and Labour Relations Minister, who also oversees pension matters. "We are going to meet with the SSNIT Board. Organized labour leaders are going to meet with the SSNIT Board and also with the Employment and Labour Relations Minister who is also in charge of pensions," he stated.

Meanwhile, North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who initially publicized the sale, petitioned the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the transaction involving the Agriculture Minister.