The military has commenced the demolition of structures at Labadi Beach in Accra as part of an exercise to clear what authorities say are encroached areas.
Personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, supported by the Ghana Police Service, are leading the operation.
The exercise began in the early hours of Friday, October 2, with security personnel reportedly arriving at about 4:00am and directing vendors, businesses and other occupants to vacate the area.
Several structures have since been demolished, while others have been partially pulled down.
The exercise has, however, triggered resistance from the Member of Parliament for La Dadekotopon, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, who questioned the manner in which the operation was being conducted and the lack of prior engagement with local stakeholders.
Madam Sowah also questioned the presence of armed security personnel at the site, asking, “What is it, do you want to kill us, what has La done?”
She further alleged that the demolition was being led by the Labadi Beach Hotel and its Board Chairman.
“It is the Labadi Beach Hotel with their Board Chairman who is leading this exercise. Government has no knowledge; I will put it on record: government has no knowledge about this,” she said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Staff Stan Dogbe has said the government has no hand in the demolition exercise.
The development has therefore raised questions over the authority behind the operation, the ownership and status of the affected structures, and the level of consultation with residents and businesses operating around the beachfront.
Madam Sowah has also raised concerns about the impact of the exercise on people whose livelihoods depend on activities at the beach.
“Because people are earning their livelihoods here. We have given you land to build the Labadi Beach Hotel, and now this is the reward of the people,” she said.
