The La Traditional Council has announced that all redevelopment plans by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) for the demolished La Pleasure Beach Resort have been put on hold. This decision was made during a high-level stakeholder meeting involving the La Traditional Council, SSNIT, and the National Security. The Council expressed dissatisfaction with the demolition exercise carried out without prior consultation with the traditional authorities.
According to La Shikitele Nii Adjei Koofeh IV, the Council was unhappy with the manner in which the demolition exercise was carried out, stating that the La Traditional Council, as landowners and primary stakeholders, should have been informed before the exercise. National Security officials explained that not every operation requires prior disclosure, but the Council maintained that it should have been alerted due to its interest in the land.
Nii Adjei Koofeh IV criticised SSNIT over claims that it had been engaging the traditional authorities on the redevelopment of the area. He said SSNIT published information suggesting that it would continue engaging the Council, implying that consultations had already begun. However, he maintained that this was not the case and said the Council raised the matter during the meeting.
SSNIT subsequently apologised, while National Security also apologised for failing to engage the traditional authorities before the demolition exercise. The La Traditional Council wants the interests of the La people to be protected in any future arrangement. They stressed that whatever belongs to La must remain beneficial to the people of La.
The redevelopment plans have been suspended to allow for proper consultations and the observance of due process. A committee will be formed to examine the issues surrounding the demolition and consider SSNIT's redevelopment plans with the aim of reaching an agreement that satisfies all stakeholders.
The La Traditional Council also aims to safeguard the interests of La indigenes working at the facility. Nii Adjei Koofeh IV emphasised that the Council will ensure that the people of La benefit from any future arrangement. The committee will work to find a mutually beneficial solution.
The suspension of redevelopment plans is a result of the collaborative efforts between the La Traditional Council, SSNIT, and National Security to ensure that all stakeholders' interests are considered. The stakeholders are expected to work together to find a solution that benefits everyone involved.
Key points
- La Traditional Council halts SSNIT's redevelopment plans for La Pleasure Beach Resort.
- Demolition exercise was carried out without prior consultation with traditional authorities.
- Committee to be formed to examine issues surrounding demolition and consider redevelopment plans.
