A former Chief Executive of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), Dr. Daniel Seddoh, has called for a reevaluation of the composition of the board of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, Dr. Seddoh said the aged and retirees should be excluded from the board.

According to him, the task required from a board member is too strenuous for this class of people.

“It is quite interesting that when people get into their old age and they are tired, that is when we ask them to do this strenuous job like being on the Board of SSNIT.

“It is a very controversial issue that we need to interrogate. This is because you need energy to sit on a board like SSNIT,” he argued.

The former CEO also indicated that the nature of the board to have government representation is not serving the interest of the country, adding that “We're using the representation system to reward people rather than ask them to serve on boards.”

He instead advised that board members of SSNIT must consist of independent persons who represent their various unions and groups and can speak truth to power.

“Who are the contributors? Not in terms of members of contributors, but in terms of value, who are the contributors of the real value? Are they adequately represented? Who are the independent people on the board, who can speak truth to power? Who are they? And are they speaking? And if they are, are they being listened to?” he quizzed.

Discussions about SSNIT surfaced after news broke that it seeks to sell 60% of its shares of hotels to the Minister of Food and Agriculture.

The North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa lodged a formal petition with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate allegations surrounding the sale of six hotels to Rock City Hotel, owned by Bryan Acheampong.

The hotels under scrutiny in the petition include Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and the Trust Lodge Hotel.

Mr Ablakwa's petition to CHRAJ seeks an investigation into various allegations, including conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, and graft.

SSNIT Response

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has since denied any foul play in its decision to sell a 60% stake in its hotels to Rock City Hotel.

They insisted that the process in selecting a buyer was transparent as they strictly adhered to the Public Procurement Act to select Rock City Hotel, among five other hotels that applied.

In a statement issued on Sunday, May 19, SSNIT explained that Rock City Hotel Limited submitted the best and strongest technical and financial proposal among the bids received, meeting the criteria set out in the Request for Proposals (RFP).

SSNIT assured the public it will cooperate fully with CHRAJ throughout its investigation process.

Byran Acheampong reacts

Mr Acheampong on Tuesday said the allegations peddled by Mr Ablakwa suggesting that he's committing some wrongdoing in Rock City's proposal to purchase 60% of shares in SSNIT's four hotels are false and baseless.

Speaking on JoyFM's Super Morning Show, the Abetifi MP expressed his disappointment in the stance taken by his colleague.

"You are just adding things together and trying to destroy me and trying to destroy Rock City. It is most unfair, it is 'un-Ghanaian' and you should stop it," he told Mr Ablakwa who was also on the Super Morning Show.

The next step

But, Mr Ablakwa is not relenting. He told Evens Mensah that he will make a petition to the Speaker of Parliament to address the issue.

“I have obtained the full list of 47 ministers and MPs diligently and I know for a fact that indeed, Bryan Acheampong confirmed this morning that he has not complied with the provisions of the Constitution. So I certainly will bring this to the attention of the Speaker as soon as the House resumes.”