Ghana's Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe, has addressed the recent demolition of structures along a section of the La beachfront near the Labadi Beach Hotel. Dogbe stated that the exercise, which took place on Friday, October 2, 2026, was not part of the government's ongoing flood mitigation programme. The National Flood Mitigation Task Force is currently active in areas including the Kpeshie Lagoon, East Legon Boundary Road, Oyarifa, and behind Mayfair Estates.
According to Dogbe, the demolition was conducted under National Security supervision at the direct request of the Labadi Beach Hotel. The structures brought down, including the Polo Beach Club, occupied beachfront land in front of the hotel. Dogbe said the hotel argued that these structures were harming its safety, reputation, and overall visitor experience. The clearance exercise involved a joint deployment of personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service.
Dogbe also raised concerns about unregulated commercial activity along the beach, citing sanitation hazards and potential security risks posed by unauthorized operations. He referenced drone footage of the area while questioning whether the hotel's decision to reclaim its beachfront was justified. Dogbe noted that the affected stretch of beach should not be confused with La Pleasure Beach.
The demolition has not gone without pushback, with La Dade-Kotopon MP Rita Naa Odoley Sowah publicly questioning the exercise. She had previously received assurances that structures in the Labadi Beach area would be spared. Operators of the Polo Beach Club have also pursued legal action against the Labadi Beach Hotel and other parties over the contested ownership of the beachfront land.
Dogbe acknowledged that the hotel would be better placed to provide fuller details on the reasons behind its request, but his statement sought to firmly separate the operation from the government's flood relief work. He framed the demolition around concerns of tourism management, sanitation, and security. The exercise has sparked controversy, with many questioning the justification for the demolition.
Naa Odoley expressed her disappointment, saying, "I was assured that this was not part of the government's direction. Why? What has La done?" The MP's concerns reflect the sentiments of many residents and business owners in the area who are affected by the demolition. The incident has highlighted the need for clearer communication and coordination between stakeholders involved in beachfront development and management.
The demolition of the Polo Beach Club and other structures along the La beachfront has significant implications for the tourism industry and local businesses. The incident has sparked a renewed debate about the management of Ghana's coastline and the balance between economic development and environmental protection. Key stakeholders will need to engage in constructive dialogue to find solutions that benefit all parties involved.
Key points
- The demolition was not part of the government's flood mitigation programme.
- The exercise was conducted at the request of the Labadi Beach Hotel.
- The incident has sparked controversy and raised concerns about tourism management, sanitation, and security.
