Central Region Likely to Host Next “Hands Off Our Hotels” Demo

The convenor of the “Hands Off Our Hotels” demonstration, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says a second demonstration may take place if the government fails to back out of the deal to sell some stakes in four state hotels to the Minister for Food Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.

This protest, he noted, will unfold in the Central Region which hosts two of the four hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

It comes after their successful first protest in the Greater Accra Region on June 18, 2024.

Though it is not decided yet, he said the decision will depend on the response the government produces after the first protest.

“We will wait for a response in a few days. We are receiving calls from the Central Region where there is a high appetite for a second demonstration. They have two hotels affected: Elmina and Ridge Royal. The Edina Traditional Council has already written against the sale of the hotels. The Omanhene himself signed the letter so let’s see what happens,” he said on Eyewitness News monitored by opemsuo.com.

“If the President doesn’t act, if they don’t back out from this transaction, it is very likely that the Central Region will be our next stock,” he affirmed.

The demonstration was organized by the Minority Caucus in Parliament, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Federation of Labour, the United GaDangme Caucus, the Coalition of La Youth Associations, Ghana Action Network and Arise Ghana.

Petition
In their petition received by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Emmanuel Adumua-Bossman on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the protesters called for the immediate halting of processes to sell the hotels some of which are estimated to be making a lot of profit.

They highlighted that Rock City- owned by Bryan- which is trying to secure the hotels is bedevilled with constant losses, and cannot be allowed to take over the profit-making state assets.

“A loss-making Bryan Acheampong’s Rock City Hotel according to GRA filings should under no circumstance be allowed to purchase our state hotels, particularly, profitable ones such as Labadi Beach Hotel which posted profits of GHS 158 million for 2023, paid dividends of some GHS25million last year to the government, and has cash reserves in excess of GHSS8million in 5 bank accounts.”

“It is wrong, immoral and unethical for Ministers and government officials to buy state assets – President Akufo-Addo must not preside over this detestable and dangerous practice, particularly when he assured the nation that his appointees who want to make money through such transactions should stay in the private sector.”

It furthered, “The Blay family should be instructed by President Akufo-Addo to stop the illegal encroachment, stop issuing threats, and get off Labadi Beach Hotel’s beachfront. It is a national embarrassment that the Labadi Beach Hotel has become the only beach hotel in the world without ownership and control of its beachfront. The Blay brothers should be made to respect the initial joint venture agreement with Labadi Beach.”

The protesters believe the transaction is a classic example of state capture.