Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has disputed the ownership basis for the demolition of the Polo Beach Club. He claims the land belongs to the La Traditional Council, not the Labadi Beach Hotel. According to Blay, his son secured an agreement from the traditional authority before developing the facility. His son initially approached the Labadi Beach Hotel, but was directed to the La Traditional Council.
Freddie Blay stated that his son had the rights to the land after discussing it with the La Traditional Council. He claimed that the Labadi Beach Hotel told his son that the land did not belong to them, but rather to the La Beach Management Organisation. Blay's son subsequently reached an agreement with the traditional authority to develop the site. He argued that the development followed engagements with the relevant parties, rather than an arbitrary occupation of the land.
Freddie Blay expressed surprise that the facility was demolished on the basis that the land belonged to the Labadi Beach Hotel. He mentioned that his son's company had taken the hotel to court over the issue, but the hotel withdrew the case when it was going against them. The Polo Beach Club was demolished on October 2, 2026, during a clearance operation along the La beachfront involving personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service.
The demolition was conducted under National Security supervision following a request from the Labadi Beach Hotel. The hotel had raised concerns that structures and commercial activities along the beachfront were affecting its safety, tranquillity, and reputation, as well as the experience of its visitors. Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe, clarified that the operation was separate from the government's flood mitigation programme.
Freddie Blay had previously questioned why the demolition proceeded while the land dispute remained before the courts. He maintained that his son had acquired the land from the La Stool and challenged suggestions that the business was occupying the site unlawfully. Blay accused the government of politically motivated demolitions targeting his family.
The La Traditional Council had given Blay's son a lease over the land to set up the Polo Beach Club. Freddie Blay accompanied his son to the council, where they agreed and negotiated the terms. He described the demolition as an act of ignorance, with some people claiming that the Polo Beach Club was operating as squatters.
The demolition of the Polo Beach Club has sparked controversy, with various stakeholders weighing in on the issue. While the Labadi Beach Hotel claims ownership of the land, Freddie Blay insists that the La Traditional Council has the rights to the land. The incident has raised questions about land ownership and management along the La beachfront.
Key points
- Freddie Blay disputes the demolition of Polo Beach Club, citing an agreement with La Traditional Council.
- The demolition was conducted under National Security supervision following a request from the Labadi Beach Hotel.
- Freddie Blay accuses the government of politically motivated demolitions targeting his family.
