Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe, has clarified that the recent demolition exercise along La Beach in Ghana was not a government-led action. The exercise, which took place on October 2, 2026, targeted several structures, including the Polo Beach Club and La Pleasure Beach. According to Dogbe, the demolition was carried out at the request of the Labadi Beach Hotel management and was conducted under the supervision of National Security.
The demolition exercise was separate from the government's flood mitigation efforts, which are being undertaken by a task force at various locations, including the Kpeshie Lagoon, East Legon Boundary Road, and Oyarifa. These efforts aim to support the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources in preventing future flooding. Dogbe emphasized that the La Beach demolition was not part of these efforts, contrary to public perceptions.
According to Stan Dogbe, the Labadi Beach Hotel management had raised concerns that the structures on the beach were affecting the safety, tranquillity, and reputation of the hotel. The management claimed that these structures were diminishing the visitor experience and undermining the orderly management of the hotel, one of Ghana's most important tourism destinations.
The demolition exercise targeted permanent structures, including the Polo Beach Club, located on the beach in front of the Labadi Beach Hotel. Dogbe stated that the hotel would be in a better position to provide details on the reasons behind its decision to reclaim its beachfront. He also expressed concerns about broader sanitation and security issues associated with unauthorized and unregulated commercial activities along the beachfront.
Stan Dogbe questioned whether the Labadi Beach Hotel was justified in seeking to reclaim its beachfront, having seen drone footage and videos of the area. He emphasized that the hotel's concerns about safety, tranquillity, and reputation were legitimate. Dogbe's comments come after vendors and businesses in the area were directed to vacate the premises during the demolition exercise.
The La Beach demolition has raised questions about the regulation of commercial activities along Ghana's beaches. While the Labadi Beach Hotel's concerns about its beachfront are understandable, the broader implications of the demolition exercise are yet to be fully assessed. The incident highlights the need for clearer regulations and coordination between government agencies, businesses, and local communities.
Stan Dogbe's clarification aims to dispel misconceptions about the government's role in the demolition exercise. He emphasized that the exercise was a private initiative, undertaken at the request of the Labadi Beach Hotel management. The incident serves as a reminder of the complex relationships between government agencies, businesses, and local communities in Ghana's tourism sector.
Key points
- The demolition exercise was carried out at the request of the Labadi Beach Hotel management, not as a government-led action.
- The exercise targeted structures affecting the safety, tranquillity, and reputation of the Labadi Beach Hotel.
- The incident highlights broader concerns about regulation, sanitation, and security along Ghana's beaches.