Organised Labour has scaled up protest over the management of pension funds with a demand for a full takeover of the Board Chairmanship position of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
According to them, the state agency is failing to yield any positive dividend for pensioners and the working class in Ghana.
This comes months after the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in partnership with Organised Labour demonstrated to halt the sale of some SSNIT hotels to Agric Minister, Bryan Acheampong’s company, Rock City.
Although, President Akufo-Addo stoked controversy yesterday when he argued that the decision to declare a nationwide strike over the sale was unnecessary, a leading member of Organised Labour, Isaac Bampoe-Addo insists an overhaul of the board of SSNIT will ensure that the collective interest of pensioners and workers is secured.
“What we are saying is that, this is workers money. Pension Fund is workers money and that must reflect in the governance structure of SSNIT. We should be in charge of the board, we should control the board and not have a board membership of about twelve (12) and we have only four worker among, no.”
Touching on the comments made by the President, Mr. Bampoe-Addo said the strike and subsequent demonstration would not have been necessary if their opinions had been taken into consideration.
“The sale has been aborted so there is no sale. It cannot be done again. It has been terminated. What the President said was his opinion. He felt maybe dialogue could have solved it but we tried dialogue and it didn’t solve it. So we had to use workers power and that is what we used and it worked for us”.
Meanwhile, a string of events has taken place since the news broke that Mr Acheampong’s company was the successful bidder of the 60% shares in four hotels belonging to SSNIT.
Labour unions first engaged with the board of SSNIT to terminate the transaction.
The MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzato Ablakwa who blew the whistle on the deal also petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and led a demonstration for the deal to be botched.
In his petition, Mr Ablakwa asserts that there are ongoing plans to sell a controlling 60% stake in four hotels owned by SSNIT to Rock City Hotel Limited, a company owned by Dr Bryan Acheampong, who serves as the MP for Abetifi.
The hotels under scrutiny in the petition include Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and the Trust Lodge Hotel.
Mr Ablakwa’s petition to CHRAJ seeks an investigation into various allegations, including conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, and graft.
The MP highlights what he views as a violation of constitutional provisions, citing Articles 78(3) and 98(2) of the 1992 Constitution.
Finally, Rock City Hotel withdrew its bid to purchase 60 percent shares in four hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
Source: Myjoyonline
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