The demolition exercise, being carried out by the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service, aims to restore the natural flow of waterways and enforce environmental regulations. Vendors and businesses operating within the resort have been ordered to leave the premises to make way for the exercise. The operation began on May 27, following a recent devastating flood that hit parts of Accra, causing widespread destruction and displacement.
The demolition has sparked opposition from La Dadekotopon MP Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, who expressed disappointment in the government for carrying out the exercise. According to her, the government had assured her that the Labadi Beach Hotel would not be demolished. She noted that she had engaged with the authorities and was under the impression that the hotel would be spared. The MP challenged the military personnel overseeing the exercise, highlighting the concerns of residents, workers, and businesses affected by the demolition.
This is not the first time the government has carried out a demolition exercise in the area. Earlier this year, the Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC), in collaboration with the Tema West Municipal Assembly, pulled down several buildings along waterways at the Sakumo Ramsar Site. The exercise was aimed at restoring the natural flow of waterways and reviving ecological importance of the site, which has long been under threat from human activities, particularly unregulated construction.
The Director General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Major (Rtd) Dr. Joseph Bikanyi Kuyon, had previously noted that a similar exercise achieved its objectives, despite critics identifying lapses in preparedness. The current demolition exercise is intended to manage flooding, enforce environmental regulations, and revive natural watercourses. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling Ghana's persistent flooding challenges by ordering the demolition of illegally constructed buildings blocking waterways.
President John Dramani Mahama has blamed the increasing flood disasters on poor urban planning and unauthorized developments in wetlands, waterways, and Ramsar sites. He stressed that all structures obstructing natural drainage systems would be removed to prevent further destruction. The President made these comments at the 2025 National Eid-ul-Fitr celebration at Black Star Square, reaffirming his administration's commitment to addressing the issue.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, has revealed plans to station a task force within the country to avert a possible erection of the demolished structures. The task force will work 24 hours to protect the area and ensure that no new structures are built. The minister noted that some of the affected individuals had been aware of the exercise and had been given notices to stop work.
The recent flood on May 18 wrecked several homes, claimed lives, displaced residents, and disrupted economic activities in areas such as Weija, Kaneshie, Adabraka, Tema, and Adentan-Dodowa. The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) reported that five lives were lost to the heavy rains. The government has been under pressure to initiate long-lasting solutions to the flooding challenges, and the demolition exercise is part of these efforts.
Key points
- The demolition exercise aims to restore the natural flow of waterways and enforce environmental regulations.
- The government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling Ghana's persistent flooding challenges.
- A task force will be stationed in the area to prevent new structures from being built.
