In a fervent call for action, North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has urged Ghanaians to prepare for mass demonstrations similar to the recent youth-led protests in Kenya.
Mr Ablakwa’s appeal comes in response to the controversial sale of four SSNIT Hotels to Rock City, a company owned by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
The Kenyan protests, which were driven by opposition to a proposed finance bill that included unpopular tax hikes, reached a climax on June 25, 2024.
The demonstrations, marked by the burning of cars and part of the parliament building, led to a dramatic shift in government policy. Several protestors lost their lives, reportedly due to police actions, and many more were injured.
Under pressure, Kenyan President William Ruto reversed his stance and withdrew the contentious tax plan.
Drawing parallels to these events, Ablakwa criticized Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo for not intervening in the sale of the SSNIT hotels. Despite meeting with organized labor earlier in the week and facing protests under the banner ‘Hands Off Our Hotels,’ the President has maintained his support for the sale.
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Ablakwa also took aim at Elizabeth Ohene, the SSNIT board chair appointed by Akufo-Addo, accusing her of defending the deal despite widespread public opposition and protests from labor representatives on the board.
He described President Akufo-Addo as the “chief architect” of what he termed “putrefying State Capture.”
“It’s now confirmed beyond any scintilla of doubt — President Akufo-Addo is the chief architect of all the putrefying State Capture. It’s time to declare our own version of what just happened in Kenya,” Ablakwa stated in a social media post on June 26, 2024.
He assured Ghanaians that a significant announcement regarding plans for a major demonstration would be made soon. “President Akufo-Addo refused to stop the sale of our SSNIT hotels when he met organized labour yesterday [Tuesday].”
With tensions rising and public discontent growing, the call for protests is likely to galvanize further opposition to the sale of the SSNIT hotels.