The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Director of Communications has criticised the North Tongu MP, for politicising the Social Security and National Insurance Trust’s (SSNIT) decisions to sell a majority stake in some of its hotels.

Richard Ahiagbah said not only are Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s protests shrouded in politics, but they also undermine the interest of good governance and disregard the rigorous processes SSNIT followed to reach its decision.

Speaking on PM Express on JoyNews, he said that SSNIT “went through a due process to procure first transaction advisors to put out an invitation for individuals interested in buying any of these hotels classified in three lots to express interest.

"The process was overseen by a steering committee, including the board chairs of all these hotels and members from the management board.”

“So, my problem, really, is we can go through all the issues my brother Ablakwa has raised about the transaction but one thing he has not disputed is the process that led to the settlement on Rock City. There were six altogether that bid for it, and it was settled that Rock City made the best offer.”

“Now, my question is if, for example, Yao Ado Development or Westridge had won this bid, would he be on this crusade? The idea that because it is Rock City, it is something out of turn, is, for me, corporate governance that we're sacrificing...the interest of good governance is actually what is being sacrificed here,” Mr Ahiagbah insisted.

• Read More: How can ‘loss-making’ Rock City improve SSNIT hotels? – Ablakwa

He argued that it is unfair to claim Rock City Hotel won the bid because of it is owned by the Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong when they had already been in the process of bidding years before he assumed ministerial office.

Mr Ahigabah said that among other things organised labour and board chairpersons of these hotels were present in the committee set up to oversee the sale.

“If by the Procurement Act, everything has been done according to law, and the settlement is that Rock City had presented the best bid, my question is why is that a problem?” The NPP Communications Director quizzed.

• Read also: SSNIT explains decision to sell 60% stake in 4 hotels to Agric Minister’s firm

Mr Ahiagbah added that if Mr Ablakwa was truly concerned about something untoward in the process of selecting Rock City Hotel, he would have waited for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to conclude its investigation into the case.

“So, the whole pursuit is now clouded in politics. Is it political or is it a pursuit to fix a perceived irregularity? Which I don't see. For me now, this is a political venture, which then makes it difficult for us to proceed because the SSNIT governance process, that had been unleashed for this transaction to be decided, has now been shortchanged.”

• Read More: Ablakwa petitions CHRAJ over alleged sale of 6 hotels by SSNIT to Bryan Acheampong

This comes after hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the Labadi Beach Hotel for the "Hands Off Our Hotels" demonstration.

The main objective of the protest was to exert pressure on the government to immediately halt the proposed sale of a 60 per cent stake in the four prominent hotels.

• Read More: Protestors injured as police deploy pepper spray, tear gas at ‘Hand Off Our Hotels’ demo

Mr Ablakwa who led the protest argued that the sale of state-owned properties to government officials constitutes a clear abuse of power that should not be tolerated.

The group submitted a petition to the president urging him to call off the deal completely.