Several individuals have been hospitalised following a protest in Accra against the sale of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels to Ghana’s Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
The protest, organized by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, saw tensions escalate when police used pepper spray and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Ablakwa confirmed that some of the injured protesters have been transported to a health facility for treatment.
According to him, some protestors collapsed after being pepper sprayed without provocation. He was not able to indicate the exact hospitals they were sent to. He however noted that he will engage his team and visit the victims at the health centres they have been admitted to.
Police pepper spray protestors against sale of SSNIT hotels. #HandsOffOurHotel
SSNIT | Defe Defe | Black Sherif | Cristiano Ronaldo | Kelvin Danso | Ewes | #tigpost pic.twitter.com/sIJulomYXS
— TIG Post (@tigpost_) June 18, 2024
The demonstration aimed to halt the sale of four SSNIT hotels to Rock City Hotel Limited, a company owned by Bryan Acheampong.
In a fervent address, Mr. Ablakwa expressed his determination to prevent the sale.
“It has become the whole of Ghana versus the few lootocrats who are determined to continue with their state capture, and I am clear in my mind that they will have no choice but to listen,” he said.
“Even if you don’t listen and you try to sell this hotel, how are they going to have access to the hotel? How? Because we will block that access. These are our assets, and we are saying you haven’t consulted us.”
He further emphasized, “Rest assured, we are confident these hotels will not be sold.”
The protest highlights growing public concern over the transaction and reflects broader frustrations with government actions perceived as prioritizing private interests over public assets.