Former New Patriotic Party National Chairman, Freddie Blay, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to clarify whether he was aware of the directive that led to the demolition of Polo Beach Club at La Beach in Accra. According to Mr Blay, the demolition was an unfortunate decision and the President should take responsibility if he was aware of the directive.
Mr Blay expressed his concerns on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, stating that Mahama should come out and say he didn’t know about the order that was given. He described the demolition as a very wrong and unfortunate decision. Mr Blay also stressed that the demolition had resulted in significant financial losses to the state and called for those who authorised the exercise to be held accountable.
The demolition, according to Mr Blay, cost about $10 million and attributed the exercise to Richard Jakpa, claiming that the occupants were not given adequate time to retrieve their property before the demolition. He further claimed that Polo Beach Club was a recreational facility used by Ghanaians from across the political divide, insisting that the facility was not exclusively associated with the NPP or any political group.
Mr Blay also alleged that the demolition was carried out without giving occupants sufficient opportunity to remove their belongings. He said the beachfront had developed over the years into an economic and tourism hub, particularly during festive periods when businesses attract large numbers of patrons.
According to him, the area provides a different tourism experience from the hotels and contributes significantly to the wider hospitality industry. “It has been developing into a kind of ecosystem and an economy. It is a well-organised place, especially during the festive season; they rake in millions. It’s a whole tourism economy. It’s a different product from what the hotels offer,” he said.
Mr Blay argued that the demolition could undermine the growth of the hospitality and tourism sector and described the decision as a disservice to the country. “Those who took the decision, I think they have done a great disservice to the country. The hospitality industry is one growing industry and that place is a growing economy,” he said.
The controversy surrounding the demolition has sparked various reactions, with some accusing the government of politically motivated actions. Mr Blay had previously accused Mahama of ordering the demolition of his son’s Polo Beach Club. The incident has raised concerns about the impact on the local economy and the future of similar businesses in the area.
Key points
- Freddie Blay calls on President Mahama to clarify his involvement in the Polo Beach Club demolition
- The demolition cost about $10 million and resulted in significant financial losses to the state
- The incident has sparked concerns about the impact on the local economy and the future of similar businesses in the area
