New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has criticised the demolition of structures at La Pleasure Beach in Accra, describing the destruction of properties, including movable assets, as painful and surprising.
In a statement issued on Saturday, October 3, 2026, Dr Bawumia said the La Beach area has significant social, economic and cultural importance to Ghana and has developed into one of the country’s prominent beach destinations.
He questioned why movable property that could have been removed by the affected business owners was destroyed during the exercise.
“It’s sad that this very significant enclave has been demolished so wantonly. It is particularly painful and surprising that even movable assets which the owners could have removed easily were destroyed in a most bizarre fashion,” he said.
The demolition took place on Friday, October 2, with several structures and businesses in the La Beach area affected, including La Pleasure Beach and Polo Beach Club. Personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, supported by the Ghana Police Service, participated in the exercise.
Dr Bawumia said the beach economy supports thousands of livelihoods, particularly among young people, and has also hosted several international events and entertainment programmes.
He recalled the role of the area during the previous NPP administration’s Year of Return activities, saying events held at the beach contributed to Ghana’s international visibility.
The NPP flagbearer further pledged to develop La Beach into what he described as a major tourism and economic enclave if elected president.
“I am convinced that we must make La beach a major tourist and economic enclave and I pledge my commitment to the people of La especially the businesses at La beach to make that happen,” he said.
He also pledged to work towards protecting and improving the jobs supported by businesses operating within the beach economy.
“I am committed to save the thousands of jobs that beach economy supports and to improve them,” he added.
SSNIT explains reason for demolition
The demolition has drawn criticism from some affected businesses and local stakeholders, while the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has provided an explanation for its involvement.
SSNIT said it requested the intervention of the National Security Council Secretariat to address what it described as persistent unlawful occupation, encroachment and unauthorised activities along the beachfront adjoining and directly in front of the Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.
According to SSNIT, both hotels form part of its investment portfolio and are significant hospitality and tourism assets.
The Trust said the continued occupation of the beachfront posed risks to hotel guests, employees and visitors, while also raising concerns about fire, sanitation, environmental and public-health hazards.
It further cited the degradation of the coastal environment, disruption to hotel operations and possible damage to the reputation and financial performance of the hotels as reasons for seeking the intervention.
SSNIT, however, said the beaches would be cleaned and restored after the removal of the unauthorised structures and would remain open to the public.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe, has clarified that Friday’s demolition was not part of the government’s separate flood mitigation exercise.
He said the operation was carried out under the supervision of National Security following a request from the Labadi Beach Hotel.
The demolition has nevertheless sparked concerns over the impact on businesses, workers and livelihoods in the La Beach area, with some affected operators reporting losses following the destruction of their facilities.
