The government spokesperson on governance and security, Palgrave Boakye Danquah, emphasised the importance of allowing private sector expertise to contribute to the enhancement of state assets, particularly those depreciating in value.
This statement comes in response to mounting controversy surrounding the proposed sale of four hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Rock City Hotel, a private entity owned by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
Boakye Danquah cited Bryan Acheampong’s previous bid for a 60% stake in the hotels prior to his public service appointment as an illustration of the potential benefits such transactions can bring.
Speaking on the Big Bulletin, on Wednesday (19 June) Boakye Danquah said, “Individuals transitioning from the private sector to public office should not be barred from contributing to the enhancement of state assets.”
The controversy escalated when Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, formally petitioned the government to halt the sale. Ablakwa’s petition raises concerns over transparency and the potential conflict of interest involved in the transaction, given Acheampong’s current ministerial position.
Boakye Danquah explained that transferring underperforming state assets to private entities has been a recurring strategy aimed at boosting efficiency and profitability.
“This is not a new approach. History has shown that private sector management can often turn around the fortunes of state-owned assets that are struggling,” he noted.
The proposed sale has sparked a heated debate, with critics arguing that the process lacks transparency and potentially undermines public trust.
Supporters of the sale, however, argue that leveraging private sector expertise is essential for the rejuvenation of SSNIT’s assets, which have been underperforming for years. They believe that the move could lead to improved services, job creation, and increased profitability, benefiting the economy at large.
Reporting by Caleb Ahinakwah in Accra
Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Azay FM 89.1 (Takoradi), Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
