Ghanaians are asking questions over the proposed sale of 60% shares in several hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to a Minister of State and Member of Parliament, Abraham Koomson, Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), has questioned the role of organized labour in the matter.
Mr. Koomson expressed surprise that news of the intended sale was revealed not by organized labour but by an opposition Member of Parliament.
Since the revelation, leaders of organized labor, along with North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who has taken SSNIT to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) over the deal, have called for its cancellation. They have threatened industrial action if SSNIT proceeds with the sale, particularly to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
At a news conference, labour leaders disclosed that they had previously raised concerns about the deal with SSNIT, but it seemed the Trust was determined to proceed regardless. The SSNIT board, chaired by Madam Elizabeth Akua Ohene, includes four representatives from organized labor: Mr. Joshua Ansah, Dr. Evans Ageme Dzikum, Ms. Ivy Betur Naaso, and Mr. John Senanu Amegashie. However, it is unclear how these representatives, as well as the representative of the SSNIT Pensioners’ Association, Benjamin Asumang, voted on the controversial transaction.
Mr. Koomson said even though the Trust was determined to proceed with the sale, the organised Labour representatives could have protected the interest of workers.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is facing criticism from its members for not preventing the sale of SSNIT’s 60% stake in four hotels to the Agriculture Minister.
Speaking on Ahotor 92.3 FM’s ‘Yepe Ahunu‘ with host Nana Dogbe on Saturday, May 25, Mr. Abraham Koomson criticized the labor representatives on the SSNIT Board, saying they had failed Ghanaians by allowing the sale of the hotels. He remarked that Bryan Acheampong, being both a businessman and a politician, would be eager to purchase the entire SSNIT building if given the chance, placing the blame on the SSNIT Board members rather than on Acheampong alone.
LISTEN TO ABRAHAM KOOMSON IN THIS AUDIO:
Mr. Koomson called for a collective effort from all Ghanaians to help remove the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from office, suggesting that the party’s actions were so detrimental that even angels and demons cast out of heaven might have taken refuge there.
LISTEN TO ABRAHAM KOOMSON AGAIN IN THIS AUDIO:
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites) / Ahotoronline.com
