The police have prevented the ‘Hands Off Our Hotels Demonstration’ organized by Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, from marching to Ghana’s Jubilee House, the seat of government.
The ‘Hands Off Our Hotels Demonstration’ is a protest against the sale of a 60% stake in four hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Rock City Hotel, which is owned by Food and Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong.
The hotels in question are Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and Trust Lodge Hotel.
The protesters had gathered at the Labadi Beach Hotel and were planning to conclude their march at the Christ the King School, where they would submit a petition to the Jubilee House.
However, the police made a last-minute decision to prevent the march from reaching the government’s headquarters.
According to Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa, a brief scuffle ensued, and the police responded by using water cannons and tear gas, resulting in some protesters being rushed to the 37 Military Hospital for medical attention.
“Why fire tear gas, as we speak now, they have rushed some people to the hospital and they should pray that there are no causalities.”
The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Kwetey, accused the government of looting state resources.
“Leadership is supposed to be working for the people but what we have now is a leadership that is looking out for itself. History will have it that Ghanaians rose up against this corruption and insensitivity.”
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