Chief Executive Officer of Global Info Analytics, Musah Dankwah, has reacted to the decision by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to sell majority shares in four of its hotels to Rock City Hotel, owned by Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
He asserted that the minister should not have bid even if he had the capacity or met the criteria.
He suggested that the minister is a politically exposed individual and should have known better.
Management of SSNIT has said that Rock City Hotels submitted the strongest technical and financial proposal for the bid, dismissing allegations of a breach of the law to favour the government official.
According to SSNIT, the selection process was transparent and strictly adhered to the Public Procurement Act.
SSNIT noted that the decision to seek an investor was to raise capital for further investments in their hotels and to enhance their management.
It added that the move began in 2018 through International Competitive Tendering (ICT) procedures, ensuring a fair and competitive selection process.
“Based on the criteria set out in the RFP, Rock City Hotel submitted the best and strongest technical and financial proposal amongst those received. Consequently, it is in negotiation with SSNIT to buy a 60% stake in each of the four (4) hotels (Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel and Elmina Beach Resort).
“Bids for Busua Beach Resort and the Trust Lodge were considered to be unsuccessful so they are no longer part of the hotels covered in this process,” an excerpt of their statement said.
But in his opinion, Musah Dankwah said he would not have submitted a bid if he were to be the minister.
In a Facebook post, the researcher stressed that even if the bidding process was fair and all the processes involved were done in accordance with our laws, he should not have submitted any proposal.
“Ideally, Politically Exposed Persons such as Brian Acheampong should have avoided tendering a bind for the acquisition of SSNIT shares in the hotels even if the valuation is fair. Brian Acheampong is 100% beneficial owner of Rock City Hotel.
Even if the price Rock City Hotel offered is the most competitive, he could not avoid accusation of conflict of interest because it is what it is. If it was my company, I would not even bid. SIMPLE. No case to answer. Sometimes, you need to know when to say, thanks but NO.”
Source: rainbowradioonline.com
