Bryan Acheampong Challenges Ablakwa to Prove Rock City Hotel Losses Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has issued a challenge to Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to substantiate his claims that the Rock City Hotel is making losses. Ablakwa had alleged that the hotel, owned by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), was incurring significant financial losses and had become a drain on the company’s resources. He claimed to possess documents showing a steady decline in the hotel’s revenue and profitability. However, Acheampong has dismissed these allegations as baseless. In a statement released on Friday, he stated that the hotel was performing well financially and contributing to GACL’s revenue stream. “The Rock City Hotel is not making losses as claimed by Ablakwa,” said Acheampong. “In fact, the hotel has been profitable for the past several years, and its financial performance has been independently audited and verified.” Acheampong challenged Ablakwa to present tangible evidence to support his claims. He urged the MP to produce the documents he had allegedly obtained and make them available for public scrutiny. “Ablakwa should stop making unsubstantiated allegations,” Acheampong said. “If he has any credible information, he should present it for verification. Until then, his claims should be dismissed as mere political rhetoric.” The GACL has also issued a statement refuting Ablakwa’s allegations. The company stated that the hotel was a “strategic asset” for GACL and had consistently generated positive cash flow. The controversy over the Rock City Hotel has raised questions about the financial health of GACL and the transparency of its operations. The company has been criticized for a lack of accountability and for allegedly using its resources for political purposes. Acheampong’s challenge to Ablakwa is seen as an attempt to bring clarity to the issue and restore public confidence in GACL’s financial management.Minister Disputes Claims of Losses at Rock City Hotel
Minister Disputes Claims of Losses at Rock City Hotel Food and Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong has refuted claims that his Rock City Hotel is operating at a loss. According to Acheampong, these allegations made by North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa are unfounded. “Rock City does not make any losses. There is no one anywhere who can say that Rock City is making losses. I saw Okudzeto and Sammy Gyamfi in the studio exaggerating. Okudzeto exaggerated that Rock City is suffering losses and that he intercepted documents from GRA,” Acheampong said. This dispute stems from the proposed sale of SSNIT’s stake in several hotels to the minister’s entity, Rock City Hotel, which has sparked controversy. Ablakwa had argued that Rock City Hotel in the Eastern Region was unprofitable and claimed to have documents from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to support his assertion. He also questioned Acheampong’s expertise in hotel management. However, Acheampong dismissed Ablakwa’s claims, saying, “He [Ablakwa] has not intercepted any document.” “All he [Ablakwa] says are lies. There is nothing truthful about what Okudzeto said on this matter. First of all, Rock City informed me, and I checked with the GRA that they have not filed their 2023 taxes. So they haven’t filed a report yet. Rock City hasn’t even gone to the GRA yet; their plan is to apply at the end of this month. Where did he get the document? What he says is fabricated and a lie.” Acheampong emphasized that “Rock City hasn’t even filed its 2023 taxes. It’s supposed to end in June. So where did he get it from? Today I challenge him.” In response to the proposed sale of SSNIT’s stake in the hotels, a protest was held on June 18 at the Labadi Beach Hotel under the banner “Hands Off Our Hotels.” The protest aimed to pressure the government to halt the sale, which included Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, and Busua Beach Resort. Ablakwa argued that selling state assets to government officials was an abuse of power. The protest drew support from civil society organizations, concerned citizens, and political opposition groups who shared the view that the transaction was unethical and potentially harmful.
Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, has challenged Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, to provide evidence to support his claim that the Rock City Hotel is making losses. Ablakwa had alleged that the hotel, which is owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), is losing money and should be divested. However, Acheampong has refuted these claims, stating that the hotel is profitable and has been making significant contributions to SSNIT’s revenue. “I challenge Ablakwa to provide evidence to back up his allegations,” Acheampong said. “The Rock City Hotel is a valuable asset to SSNIT and we have no plans to divest it.” Ablakwa has yet to respond to Acheampong’s challenge. The Rock City Hotel is a four-star hotel located in Accra. It was built by SSNIT in 2008 and is the largest hotel in Ghana. The hotel has been the subject of controversy in recent months, with some calling for its divestiture.
