A committee is set to be established by early next week to determine the compensation for individuals who lost their businesses and properties due to the recent demolition of facilities at La Pleasure Beach in Accra, Ghana. The committee will comprise representatives from the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), the La Dadekotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA), traditional authorities, management of the affected beaches, and the Member of Parliament for the area, Naa Odoley Sowah.
The La Pleasure Beach demolition, which was carried out as part of flood mitigation efforts, has left many individuals without businesses or properties. According to Mrs. Sowah, the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, data has already been gathered on the displaced individuals, and their circumstances will be assessed to determine the form of compensation they will receive. However, she did not provide details on the nature or amount of compensation, stating that this will be discussed by the committee before a decision is made.
The committee's establishment was announced during a meeting of the Committee on Local Government and Decentralisation in Parliament on October 6, 2026. Mrs. Sowah assured that she is following up on the matter to ensure that everyone affected receives the compensation they are entitled to. The committee will also consider the needs of individuals who may need to be relocated, as well as those who may require financial compensation.
The demolition of La Pleasure Beach facilities is separate from a similar exercise carried out at Laboma Beach. According to Mrs. Sowah, the Laboma Beach demolition is a different issue and will be dealt with under a separate arrangement. The Chief Executive of the La Dadekotopon Municipal Assembly, Alfredos Nii Anyetei, provided an account of the Laboma demolition, stating that it was undertaken to address flooding and restore an ecological site.
The La Dadekotopon Municipal Assembly's role in the demolition exercises was also discussed during the parliamentary committee meeting. According to Chairperson Queenstar Pokua Sawyerr, the Assembly has the mandate and technical personnel to monitor development and protect waterways within its jurisdiction. She urged the Assembly to strengthen its enforcement mechanisms to prevent people from refilling areas that had been dredged or cleared to improve drainage.
The Committee on Local Government and Decentralisation has assured that it will follow up on the outcome of the committee's work to ensure that the concerns of affected individuals are properly addressed. Mrs. Sawyerr also urged the MP and the Assembly to ensure that the concerns of affected persons are properly addressed. The committee's work is expected to provide a framework for the compensation and relocation of individuals affected by the demolition exercises.
The demolition exercises have sparked controversy and concern among stakeholders, with some calling for greater transparency and accountability. The government's response to the crisis has been to establish a committee to determine compensation for affected individuals. Key stakeholders, including the SSNIT, LaDMA, and traditional authorities, will work together to ensure that those affected receive fair compensation.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government has established a committee to determine compensation for individuals affected by the La Pleasure Beach demolition.
- The committee will comprise representatives from SSNIT, LaDMA, traditional authorities, and the MP for the area.
- The demolition exercises are part of flood mitigation efforts and have sparked controversy and concern among stakeholders.
