By Ashiadey Dotse
The demolition of structures along the La Beach area in Accra was carried out for reasons unrelated to the government’s flood mitigation programme, says Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe.
Mr. Dogbe explained that the exercise was conducted under the supervision of National Security following a request from the Labadi Beach Hotel.
His comments come after military personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment, supported by the Ghana Police Service, demolished structures at the La Pleasure Beach and the Polo Beach Club near the Labadi Beach Hotel.
The security personnel also directed vendors and businesses operating in the area to leave the premises.
In a Facebook post on Friday, October 2, Mr. Dogbe said the demolition should not be linked to the government’s flood mitigation exercise.
“Let’s not get it twisted. Friday’s action along a section of the beachfront was not a Flood Mitigation Action by the government task force,” he said.
He said the government’s flood mitigation team was instead working at areas including the Kpeshie Lagoon, East Legon Boundary Road, Oyarifa and behind Mayfair Estates.
Mr Dogbe said the structures demolished at La Beach included some permanent structures which, according to the Labadi Beach Hotel, were affecting the safety, tranquillity and reputation of the hotel.
He said the hotel had also complained that the activities were affecting the experience of visitors and the orderly management of the tourism destination.
According to him, the hotel is expected to provide further details on why it wants to reclaim its beachfront.
Mr. Dogbe also expressed concern about sanitation and security at the beach, arguing that unauthorised and unregulated commercial activities could create wider problems.
“We must all be concerned about the serious sanitation issues that these unauthorised and unregulated commercial operations cause, in addition to the security risks,” he said.
He said he had reviewed drone footage and videos of the area before questioning whether the Labadi Beach Hotel was justified in seeking to reclaim its beachfront.
Mr. Dogbe, however, clarified that his comments about the hotel’s beachfront did not refer to the La Pleasure Beach
