The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has issued a terse warning of a ‘mother of all strikes’ if the government proceeds with the sale of Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, and two other hotels to Rock City Hotel, owned by Food and Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong.
The TUC condemned the decision, asserting that it is inappropriate for the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to sell its interests to a sitting Minister of State.
Speaking during a press conference on Monday, May 20, 2024, the Secretary-General of the TUC, Dr. Yaw Baah said the Union finds it extremely difficult to understand why SSNIT’s interest in the six hotels will be packaged and sold as if all the hotels are in financial crisis.
“We find it difficult to understand why the original proposal for selling SSNIT’s interest in the six hotels has been reduced to four. This renders the whole process null and void,” he stated.
He further criticized the shifting payment terms from the original Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and emphasized that such changes undermine the sale’s legitimacy.
“We have observed that the proposed payment terms have varied from the original MoU based on the recommendations,” he added.
Dr. Baah also expressed concern over selling shares to a company owned by a Minister of State, arguing it is highly inappropriate.
“We do not think this is right,” he insisted.
The TUC demanded an immediate halt to the sale process, threatening substantial industrial action, the mother of all strikes if their demands were not met.
“We are calling on the Minister responsible for pensions to direct the board of trustees of SSNIT to cancel the process immediately; otherwise, we organized labour will advise ourselves,” Dr. Baah warned.
This strong opposition follows a petition from North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
Ablakwa has requested an investigation into potential conflicts of interest, abuse of power, and legal breaches, citing specific articles of the 1992 Constitution regarding the sale of SSNIT’s interests in these hotels.
SSNIT, however, defended its decision, claiming that Rock City Hotel Limited presented the best proposal through a transparent process that complied with the Public Procurement Act.
SSNIT stated that the goal is to partner with an investor to raise capital and enhance hotel management.
Despite these assurances, the TUC remains adamant in its opposition, setting the stage for potential significant industrial action if the sale is not halted.
