The La Traditional Council and Member of Parliament for La-Dade-Kotopon, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, are calling for a halt to plans to redevelop the La Pleasure Beach. This follows the demolition of structures at the facility. According to the Council, the redevelopment should not proceed until proper consultations have been held with traditional authorities and other affected stakeholders. The Council was not formally notified before the demolition exercise, despite being a key stakeholder and traditional landowner.
The 4th La Shikitele, Nii Adjei Koofeh IV, addressed the media on the issue. He stated that the Council had since engaged the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), management of the Labadi Beach Hotel, and National Security to discuss the matter and determine the way forward. Nii Adjei Koofeh IV acknowledged that redevelopment of the facility could benefit the state if it resulted in greater value being generated from the site. However, he expressed unhappiness with the manner in which the demolition and redevelopment process had begun.
The La Shikitele stated that National Security explained during the engagement that not every operation or exercise could be disclosed in advance. However, the Traditional Council maintained that it should have been notified due to its position as a primary stakeholder and traditional landowner. Nii Adjei Koofeh IV also took issue with reports suggesting that the Traditional Council had already been engaged over the redevelopment. He said one publication on the project stated that the authorities would continue engaging the Council, which, in his view, suggested that consultations had already taken place.
Nii Adjei Koofeh IV said the Council subsequently raised the matter with SSNIT, which apologized for the lack of engagement. National Security also apologized for not involving the traditional authorities before the demolition exercise. The discussions led to an understanding that the redevelopment process should follow the appropriate procedures and include proper consultations. The intended redevelopment that SSNIT wants to start should be put on hold, according to Nii Adjei Koofeh IV.
The La Traditional Council is expected to form a committee to examine the matter and review the redevelopment plans proposed by SSNIT. Nii Adjei Koofeh IV said the committee would work towards finding an agreement that protects the interests of all parties. The Council’s primary concern is to ensure that the interests of La are protected throughout the process. The Council also called for the interests of existing land users to be protected as the redevelopment plans are considered.
The Traditional Council is demanding that traders who operated at the La Pleasure Beach be considered in the redevelopment plans. Nii Adjei Koofeh IV said spaces should be provided for affected vendors once the project is completed. He also called for measures to address the losses suffered by traders and other people whose businesses or property were affected by the demolition. According to him, the stakeholders accepted these concerns during the discussions.
The Traditional Council said it would continue to engage the relevant stakeholders and keep residents of La informed as the process unfolds. Nii Adjei Koofeh IV said the Council would provide updates on the discussions and the eventual outcome. The Council will form a committee to go into the issues and consider the plans that SSNIT has for the place to come to an amicable settlement that will lead to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.
Key points
- La Traditional Council demands halt to La Pleasure Beach redevelopment plans without consultation.
- Council forms committee to examine redevelopment plans and protect interests of all parties.
- Affected traders and land users to be considered in redevelopment plans.
