Mahama will Assent Bill to Ban State Asset Acquisition by Gov’t Officials- Ablakwa
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is certain the 2024 Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will assent to his proposed Private Members Bill to ban government officials from acquiring state assets.
It comes after the former President announced he would give no room for any official in his future government to purchase a state property.
“Appointees and public office holders must change their attitudes. That is what we are going to insist on that people that we appoint are modest people, they are humble, they will open up to the people, and they’ll do the things that will make the lives of our young people better. And so we’re gonna hold them to a higher criteria of service. You must not go and buy state property,” Mr Mahama said during an engagement with the media on Sunday, July 7, 2024.
“Anybody serving in my government will not be allowed to buy a state asset. Nobody serving in my government will buy a state asset. Vehicles or cars or buildings or land or anything, nobody serving in our government will be allowed to buy a state asset,” he added.
He however did not make any allusion to a legislative act to outlaw the practice but Ablakwa is sure he will give his assent to the bill if he is elected into office this December even if President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo refuses.
In a post on Facebook, he said the assurance of Mr Mahama is refreshing and indicated he has no doubt the canker will be vanquished under President Mahama.
“We are convinced that even if President Akufo-Addo refuses to assent to our Private Member’s Bill prohibiting politicians and politically exposed persons from buying state assets, President Mahama will not hesitate in granting presidential assent when he wins the December 7, 2024 elections.”
The lawmaker has mounted a strong campaign against the development which he characterizes as “state capture” with plans to lead a team of lawyers to draft a private member’s bill to address the issue.
In a recent decision by the Social Security National Trust (SSNIT) to sell stakes in four state hotels to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, Ablakwa led a protest against it.
