The Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region, Andrew Asungiiba Atariwine says the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) did nothing illegal in its attempt to sell 60 percent of shares in 4 of its hotels.
He argued that it is the mandate of SSNIT to manage workers’ pension contribution and as part of that mandate, could offload assets it believes are a liability to the agency and the state.
He, therefore, does not see anything wrong or illegal with the agency’s decision to diversify its interest in 4 of its hotels.
“There is no illegality, there’s nothing untoward,” he stated.
“If there is a property that is not making profit to the state and managers of the state believes that this is a liability to us and they want to offset or they release that particular property, I don’t think that it is against the law”.
Atariwine was speaking in reaction to the Hands off Our Hotels’ Demonstration organized yesterday by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The MP raised concerns about possible abuse of power and conflict of interest in the sale of 60 percent stake in Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel and Elmina Beach Resort, all owned by SSNIT.
According to him, the sale of the shares to Rock City Hotel owned by Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong is a clear abuse of power that should not be tolerated.
He, therefore, led the demonstration to drum home his demand for the transaction to be halted.
But speaking in an interview on Breakfast Today, Atariwine argued that nothing untoward has been done.
He said the MP and his party should have sought legal redress or trigger parliamentary proceedings if they had any genuine concern instead of resorting to a protest.
He believes the protest is politically motivated and should not be taken seriously.
“You can go to court. You can invoke the jurisdiction of Parliament and bring whichever minister or state agency that this particular facility falls under to answer questions. You can bring the board to answer questions in Parliament. Did you really need to go to the street?”
