The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has not yet decided on selling 60% of its shares in four hotels, according to the Trade Union Congress (TUC). This clarification was made by TUC Secretary-General Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah following a closed-door meeting with the SSNIT board on Thursday.
Dr. Baah stated that although SSNIT is considering proposals, the union has strongly recommended canceling the transaction to allow for broader consultations. “SSNIT says that they have not made a decision to sell the stake of SSNIT in these four hotels to anyone. They are still considering proposals and given what has happened, they are listening,” Dr. Baah informed the media. He emphasized the union’s stance: “Cancel the deal.”
The controversy erupted when it was revealed that Rock City Hotel, owned by the Minister of Food and Agriculture Bryan Acheampong, had won a bid to acquire a 60% stake in the four hotels. This led to widespread condemnation, including from the TUC. North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who exposed the attempted sale, subsequently filed a formal petition with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the matter.
In response to the public outcry, the union petitioned the SSNIT board, leading to the meeting on Thursday. The union has pledged to support SSNIT in rebuilding its image, which has been tarnished by the controversy. Dr. Baah described the meeting as productive and expressed TUC’s readiness to collaborate with SSNIT to safeguard the Trust’s investments. “We want to work together as stakeholders – organized labor, SSNIT board, employers, and government – to ensure that our investment in SSNIT is sustainable,” he said.
Dr. Isaac Bampoe Addo, Executive Secretary of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG), also urged SSNIT management to cancel the deal. He asserted that the TUC stands firm in its opposition to the sale. “They dare not. We’ve told them in plain language that they dare not go ahead with this deal,” he declared, adding that workers should have greater control over SSNIT as contributors to the Trust. “This is our money and we will take control. We’re going to ask for a total restructure of SSNIT because this is not how you should manage workers’ money,” Dr. Bampoe Addo insisted, questioning the government’s role in appointing the SSNIT Board Chair.
Meanwhile, Employment and Labour Relations Minister Ignatius Baffour Awuah is set to engage labor leaders on the issue following a petition from organized labor to President Akufo-Addo.
All eyes remain on SSNIT’s next steps and the ongoing dialogue between the government, SSNIT, and labor unions.