Organised labour in Ghana has raised concerns over the sale of 60% shares in some hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to the Agriculture Minister, Bryan Acheampong.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on May 20, 2024, the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr Anthony Yaw Baah, expressed strong opposition to the sale of the shares, deeming it unacceptable.
The TUC has requested an urgent meeting with President Akufo-Addo and officials from SSNIT’s Investments and Operations Unit to address the issue at hand.
Dr Yaw Baah called on the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, to intervene and ensure that the sale agreement is cancelled.
He emphasized, “If the Minister of Pensions, who also oversees Employment and Labour Relations, does not halt the transaction, the workers of Ghana, who are the rightful owners of these funds, will take the necessary measures to prevent it.”
Furthermore, Dr Baah criticized the lack of adherence to regulations and due diligence in the sale process, stating, “We do not think that the regulations governing the sale of state assets were followed. We do not believe that the necessary due diligence was conducted, and we are appalled that state property would be sold to a government minister. This reeks of state capture and must be stopped.”
Isaac Bampoe Addo, Chairman of The Forum, warned that if the sale agreement is not revoked by Mr. Ignatius Baffour, there will be a nationwide strike to protest against the misuse of pension funds.
“We want the government to understand that these funds belong to the workers, not the government. We will not stand by and allow our pension funds to be misappropriated, and if they dare to do so, there will be a nationwide strike,” Mr. Addo declared.
He reiterated that organised labour will not tolerate any misuse of pensioners’ funds by the government and SSNIT.
Credit: Daniel Opoku
