It’s Time for Ghana’s “Version of what Just Happened in Kenya”- Ablakwa

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says it’s about time Ghanaians replicated the “fruitful” protest that recently took place in Kenya forcing the country’s leader to rescind widely opposed taxes.

In the Kenyans’ case, it was the financial bill but in Ghana’s case, it has to do with the sale of the Social Security National Trust (SSNIT) hotels.

The lawmaker last week led a protest in Accra to cause the President to intervene and halt the attempt to divest shares of some four state hotels to a government official calling it a state capture. This appears to have failed.

In addition to that, the Board Chair of the SSNIT, Elizabeth Ohene has defended the move.

“President Akufo-Addo refused to stop the sale of our SSNIT hotels when he met organized labour yesterday. Akufo-Addo’s appointed SSNIT board chair, Elizabeth Ohene is also boldly justifying the stinky deal despite overwhelming opposition from Ghanaians and the protest of labour reps on her board,” he acknowledged.

As it stands, he believes a version of Kenya’s protest would do the magic.

“It’s time to declare our own version of what just happened in Kenya. Watch out for the big announcement soon.”

The youths in Kenya registered their displeasure at the passage of the financial tax bill by their Parliament through a protest held for days. The bill would have seen them being burdened with more taxes.

It reached its peak on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, when they clashed with police and overpowered them to make their way into the parliament compound where a portion was torched.

At least five were reported to have been killed by police with several others wounded.

President William Ruto addressed the country on Tuesday calling the protest an attack on democracy and vowing to provide the needed response to the hijacking by “dangerous people”.

On June 26, 2024, the President officially backed down on the said financial taxes.