Demolition begins at La Pleasure Beach amid heavy security presence

Demolition work commenced at La Pleasure Beach in Accra today, accompanied by a heavy security presence and a tense atmosphere as residents, workers, and businesses attempted to salvage their possessions. The joint operation involved personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service. A worker on the ground reported that the demolition started early in the morning, with security forces arriving around 4:00 a.m. and ordering everyone to vacate the premises.

Structures at the La Pleasure Beach have since been mostly dismantled, while others have been partially demolished. Both workers and residents have been seen clearing rubble and debris from the affected areas, trying to retrieve any belongings they can.

The site was heavily guarded by soldiers and police personnel who were preventing residents and others from returning to the sections where the demolition had already taken place. While the security presence helped maintain control, the situation remained tense. Some residents and workers, especially those reliant on the facility for their livelihoods, were seen crying as they were forced to leave their homes and businesses.

According to a worker who spoke to JoyNews, the decision to demolish the La Pleasure Beach was made abruptly. Security personnel arrived around 4:00 a.m., giving people only a brief window to gather their belongings. He stated that within 15 minutes of being told to leave, the demolition began. The worker noted that they had received a verbal warning about two weeks earlier, but they did not anticipate the demolition would occur so soon.

The demolition is a result of a long-standing land dispute surrounding the La Pleasure Beach. Management of the facility had previously refused to comply with a directive to vacate the premises, claiming there was an ongoing court dispute over the land's ownership.