On October 3, 2026, Abraham Koomson, Secretary-General of Ghana's Federation of Labour (GFL), defended the demolition at Labadi Beach Hotel, stating that the land is a state asset meant to support hotel infrastructure and protect workers' investments. According to Koomson, the property is connected to workers' contributions and should be utilized for its intended purpose. He argued that the demolition was justified as it aims to preserve the value of workers' retirement security.
Koomson appeared on Ahotor FM's Yepe Ahunu programme in Accra, where he emphasized that the land is part of assets connected to workers' contributions. He stated that workers can rise up to claim ownership, as these assets are indirectly managed by the government for their benefit. Koomson highlighted the importance of protecting state assets, which are meant to support workers' investments and contribute to their retirement security.
However, Koomson criticized the government's public relations failure during the demolition exercise. He argued that poor communication created undeserved public sympathy for those occupying or developing portions of the SSNIT property without authorization. According to Koomson, the government should have clearly explained the land's connection to workers' investments and the need to protect it.
Koomson further criticized the allocation and sale of state-owned properties under previous administrations, particularly the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government. He argued that such decisions could undermine the long-term value of assets intended to support workers' retirement investments. Koomson questioned why state-owned hotel properties were transferred to private developers instead of being preserved and managed to generate sustainable returns for workers.
The Secretary-General emphasized the state's responsibility to protect SSNIT-related properties from encroachment. He maintained that the Labadi Beach demolition was justified, but the government needs to improve its communication strategy during enforcement exercises. Koomson suggested that authorities should explain the ownership, purpose, and economic value of state and workers' assets before embarking on enforcement operations.
Effective communication, according to Koomson, would help the public understand the rationale behind such exercises and reduce misinformation and controversy surrounding the protection of state and workers' assets. He stressed the importance of proper communication to minimize public backlash and ensure that workers' investments are protected.
The demolition of Labadi Beach Hotel has sparked controversy, with many questioning the government's actions. Koomson's comments provide insight into the government's perspective on the matter, highlighting the need to protect workers' investments and state assets. The incident has raised concerns about the management of state properties and the communication strategies employed by the government during enforcement exercises.
Key points
- The demolition of Labadi Beach Hotel was justified to protect workers' investments and state assets.
- The government's poor public relations failure contributed to the public backlash against the demolition.
- The state has a responsibility to protect SSNIT-related properties from encroachment and ensure they serve their intended purpose.
