‘Hands off our hotels demonstration’ happens tomorrow June 18 – Ablakwa

The long awaited “hands off our hotels demonstration” comes off tomorrow 18th June, 2024, under the leadership of the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, against the sale of four Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels to Rock City Hotel Limited.

Addressing a news conference at the press centre on Monday, June 17, the MP confirmed that all arrangements for the demonstration are complete. He further indicated that the rationale behind this protest is to compel the president, Nana Akufo-Addo to stop all the parties involved in the sale of the SSNIT hotels.

“We are very peaceful protestors and law-abiding as well. So, we can give the Ghanaian people the full assurances that this agreement with the Ghana Police Service will be adhered to,” he said, emphasizing his expectation for a peaceful protest and assuring that individuals attempting to incite chaos would be dealt with by the Ghana Police Service.

Mr. Ablakwa hinted that the group has reached an agreement with Ghana Police to commence the demonstration from Labadi Beach Hotel, through La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, and to Giffard Road leading to the Lands Commission.

He added that there also have been an agreement with the Police that representatives of the president will walk from the Jubilee house to receive the petition from the protesters at the Christ the King Catholic Church.

“We have agreed with the Police on the condition that the representatives of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will walk from the Jubilee House and meet us at the Christ the King Catholic Church to receive our petition,” he explained.

The protest will begin at 8:00am in front of the Labadi Beach Hotel, proceed to the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, and continue through Giffard Road leading to the Lands Commission.

Mr. Ablakwa has described the sale of the hotels to Rock City Hotel Limited, owned by Ghana’s Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, as state capture. Consequently, he has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the transaction.