Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman Freddie Blay has accused President John Dramani Mahama of ordering the demolition of his son's business, the Polo Beach Club, located at the La Beach enclave in Accra. The land housing the entertainment and hospitality venue has been disputed since 2024 over its ownership.
Spartan-Ives Limited, the operator of Polo Beach Club, claims it legally acquired the land through a 20-year lease from the La stool, with additional arrangements involving the La Beach Resort Management Committee. However, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) demolished both properties, citing alleged unlawful occupation of beachfront land, encroachment on the beachfront, unauthorized activities affecting the area, and protection of SSNIT's investments in two hotels.
In an interview with Channel One TV's The Big Issue with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Freddie Blay expressed his concerns, stating that President Mahama directly ordered the demolition of his son's property. He described President Mahama as having no respect for the law. The dispute over the land has been in court since 2024, with a ruling yet to be determined.
Freddie Blay rejected claims that the business was operating as a squatter on land belonging to the hotel, insisting that the land had been acquired through a lease from the La Stool. He questioned the involvement of the President and National Security in the matter while the ownership dispute remained before the court.
The demolition at La Pleasure Beach and the adjoining Polo Beach Club on October 2, 2026, was carried out by security personnel under National Security supervision, following a request from the Labadi Beach Hotel. The exercise was separate from the government's ongoing flood-mitigation demolitions around the Kpeshie Lagoon.
SSNIT stated that the clearance aimed to address alleged unlawful occupation and encroachment on the beachfront and protect its investments in the Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. The demolition has drawn criticism from affected operators and the La Dadekotopon MP, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah.
Freddie Blay challenged the basis for deploying security personnel to demolish the property, arguing that such action should only be taken on the basis of a court order. The incident has raised concerns about the rule of law and the involvement of high-ranking officials in disputes over land ownership.
Key points
- Freddie Blay accused President Mahama of ordering the demolition of his son's Polo Beach Club.
- The demolition was carried out by security personnel under National Security supervision.
- The dispute over the land has been in court since 2024, with a ruling yet to be determined.
