Scene after the demolition
Management and workers of the La Pleasure Beach Resort are expected to join a demonstration today to protest the demolition of structures along the Laboma beachfront, which they say has disrupted businesses and destroyed livelihoods.
The protest, organised by the Ga-Dangme Progressive Front with the support of the resort’s management, is expected to draw about 5,000 participants, who will march to the Jubilee House to present a petition over the demolition.
In a letter signed by the convener, Eric Nana Acquah, and addressed to the Ghana Police Service, the group notified the police of its intention to hold a peaceful demonstration today from 7 a.m. to noon, in accordance with the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491).
The demonstration will begin at La Pleasure Beach near the Total fuel station and proceed through Beach Road, La General Hospital, Danquah Circle and the Ghana Police Headquarters before ending at the Jubilee House.
According to the organisers, the petition will highlight the implications of the demolitions for Ga-Dangme heritage, ancestral lands and livelihoods.
Mr. Acquah assured the police that the protest would be peaceful and orderly, adding that the organisers would ensure discipline among participants and compliance with the laws of the country and lawful police directives.
Interested participants have been asked to contact Manaf Adjei-Sowah on 054 098 5456 for further information and direction.
The planned demonstration follows the demolition of structures at La Pleasure Beach in Accra by a joint team of military personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service in the early hours of Friday, October 2, 2026.
The operation, which began at about 4 a.m., involved the use of excavators to pull down walls, kiosks, bars and concrete extensions along the coast, affecting businesses operating around the La Pleasure Beach Resort and the Polo Beach Club.
The exercise left workers and vendors scrambling to salvage their personal belongings, while the affected businesses faced uncertainty over their operations and the livelihoods of those dependent on them.
The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), which owns the Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, subsequently confirmed that it had requested the demolition.
In a statement, SSNIT said it had sought the urgent intervention of the National Security Council Secretariat to protect its investments following what it described as persistent unlawful occupation, encroachment and unauthorised activities on the beachfront adjoining and directly in front of the two hotels.
The Trust cited concerns about guest safety, unauthorised access to sensitive operational areas, and fire, sanitation and environmental hazards.
Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe, also explained that the demolition was not part of the government’s flood mitigation programme but was carried out under National Security supervision at the request of the Labadi Beach Hotel.
Management of La Pleasure Beach has indicated that the facility could reopen within three weeks, subject to the clearing of debris from the demolition.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke