On Friday, October 2, SSNIT, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust, ordered the removal of structures and unauthorised occupants from the beachfront adjacent to the Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra. The operation, carried out by the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service, saw workers demolishing several buildings, including La Pleasure Beach and Polo Beach Club, after residents and traders were directed to vacate the area.
SSNIT’s statement explained that the hotels form part of its investment portfolio and that continued encroachment posed safety, security and environmental risks. The Trust cited concerns over fire hazards, sanitation, public‑health risks and the potential for reputational damage to the hotels, SSNIT and Ghana’s tourism industry. It added that the beach would be cleaned and restored to a safe, desirable condition and remain open to the public.
Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Stan Dogbe, clarified that the demolition was separate from the government’s flood‑mitigation programme and was carried out at the request of the Labadi Beach Hotel. He said the structures were affecting the hotel’s safety, tranquility and reputation and that broader sanitation and security issues were also at play.
The exercise has affected local businesses and workers, with some operators lamenting the loss of their premises. La Dadekotopon MP Rita Naa Odoley Sowah confronted military personnel at La Pleasure Beach, questioning the basis for the action and expressing concern for the impact on the community.
SSNIT’s Board of Trustees issued the statement on October 2, affirming its fiduciary duty to protect the investments of Ghanaian workers and pensioners while ensuring the hotels can continue to generate sustainable returns.
The Trust has not announced plans to convert the cleared beachfront into a private facility or restrict public access. The focus remains on safeguarding the hotels’ assets and maintaining the beach’s public status.
