President Akufo-Addo has downplayed the heated controversy surrounding the decision to sell hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Rock City Hotels, a company owned by his Agriculture Minister, Bryan Acheampong.
The issue sparked a protest led by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and organized labour, culminating in nationwide industrial action, eventually forcing SSNIT to shelve the sale of four hotels.
Addressing the issue at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Delegates Congress, President Akufo-Addo described the backlash as needless. He expressed disappointment in the narrative that SSNIT was being mismanaged, pointing instead to the trust’s recent financial success.
According to the president, SSNIT recorded profits exceeding GHȼ230 million in its 2023 financial report, a figure he believes underscores the organization’s solid performance and should allay concerns.
The president called for an end to persistent protests and strikes by organized labour, advocating instead for peaceful dialogue in resolving disputes. He urged labour unions to refrain from immediately resorting to industrial action when issues arise between them and the government, encouraging collaboration for the greater good of the nation.
Akufo-Addo’s remarks aim to ease tensions between the government and organized labour, as he reaffirmed his belief in the strength of SSNIT’s management and profitability. He remains hopeful that his call for a more constructive approach will resonate with unions moving forward.
