A demonstration is set to take place in Accra, Ghana, today, as workers and management of the La Pleasure Beach Resort, along with the Ga-Dangme Progressive Front, protest the demolition of structures along the Laboma beachfront. The protest, expected to draw around 5,000 participants, will march to the Jubilee House to present a petition against the demolition, which they claim has disrupted businesses and destroyed livelihoods. The protest will begin at La Pleasure Beach and proceed through several major roads in the city.
The demolition, carried out by a joint team of military personnel and police on October 2, 2026, affected several businesses operating around the La Pleasure Beach Resort and the Polo Beach Club. The exercise, which began at 4 a.m., involved the use of excavators to pull down walls, kiosks, bars, and concrete extensions along the coast. Workers and vendors were left scrambling to salvage their personal belongings, while the affected businesses faced uncertainty over their operations and the livelihoods of those dependent on them.
According to the organisers, the petition will highlight the implications of the demolitions for Ga-Dangme heritage, ancestral lands, and livelihoods. The demonstration, which will run from 7 a.m. to noon, has been notified to the Ghana Police Service, and the organisers have assured the police that the protest will be peaceful and orderly. Interested participants have been asked to contact Manaf Adjei-Sowah for further information and direction.
The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), which owns the Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, had requested the demolition, citing concerns about guest safety, unauthorised access to sensitive operational areas, and fire, sanitation, and environmental hazards. The Trust confirmed that it had sought the urgent intervention of the National Security Council Secretariat to protect its investments following what it described as persistent unlawful occupation, encroachment, and unauthorised activities on the beachfront.
Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe, explained that the demolition was not part of the government’s flood mitigation programme but was carried out under National Security supervision at the request of the Labadi Beach Hotel. The demolition has left workers and vendors uncertain about their future, with many calling for an end to the destruction of their livelihoods.
Management of La Pleasure Beach has indicated that the facility could reopen within three weeks, subject to the clearing of debris from the demolition. The planned reopening offers some hope to workers and businesses affected by the demolition. However, the long-term impact of the demolition on the local community and economy remains to be seen.
The protest is expected to draw attention to the plight of workers and businesses affected by the demolition, and the organisers are hopeful that their concerns will be heard and addressed by the relevant authorities. The outcome of the protest and the future of the La Pleasure Beach Resort and surrounding businesses remain uncertain.
Key points
- The demolition of structures along the Laboma beachfront has disrupted businesses and livelihoods, prompting a protest by workers and management of La Pleasure Beach Resort.
- The protest, expected to draw around 5,000 participants, will march to the Jubilee House to present a petition against the demolition.
- The demolition was carried out at the request of the Labadi Beach Hotel, citing concerns about guest safety and unauthorised activities on the beachfront.
