National Security operatives, led by the Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, Richard Jakpa, demolished several structures at the La Pleasure Resort and adjoining leisure spots in the early hours of yesterday. The exercise, which started at about 4 a.m., did not spare any structure, including popular clubs like Vienna City, Polo Beach Club, security post, tollbooth, and administration block.
The La Pleasure Resort lies between the La Beach Hotel and the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, both owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust. The Polo Beach Club, located near the five-star Labadi Beach Hotel, borders the Kpeshie Lagoon estuary and was also brought down by the operatives. According to eyewitnesses, the demolition was carried out at the request of the Labadi Beach Hotel to secure its beachfront.
The Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stanisluv Xoese Dogbe, later clarified that the exercise was not part of the government's flood mitigation efforts, but rather to address concerns raised by the Labadi Beach Hotel about the impact of the structures on its safety, tranquillity, and reputation. He dispelled rumours that the government had a hand in the demolition, stating it was carried out at the hotel's request.
Some business owners and vendors reported receiving notice of the demolition exercise two weeks earlier, but were not informed of the exact date to enable them to prepare and relocate their wares and structures. A Supervisor at the La Pleasure Beach, Nicholas Agya-Annan, stated that management intended to pursue legal action to hold the hotel responsible for the demolition and called on the government to explain the circumstances surrounding the exercise.
The demolition has left many traders without a means of earning an income, as they depended on their businesses at the beach to support themselves. Affected persons, such as snack vendor Akua and trader Evelyn Mensah, expressed distress and appealed to the government to consider their plight and the impact of the exercise on their livelihood.
Two divisional chiefs, Naa Koowa Omanye Aba I and Teiman Mantse, Nii Maaley, expressed concern over the demolition, stating that the area had served as an important source of income for many young people and other residents in the community. They urged the government to provide compensation to mitigate the losses suffered by the affected businesses.
The demolition has also raised concerns about the economic impact on surrounding communities, as people depend on the beach businesses for their livelihood. An operator, who wished to remain anonymous, described the exercise as a major blow to businesses and livelihoods that had existed at the beach for decades, with some families passing down their activities through generations.
Key points
- The National Security operatives demolished structures at La Pleasure Resort and Polo Beach Club at the request of the Labadi Beach Hotel.
- The demolition has left many traders without a means of earning an income, with some appealing to the government for compensation.
- The exercise has raised concerns about the economic impact on surrounding communities, with some families passing down their activities through generations.
