Friday’s beachfront demolition was carried out at Labadi Beach Hotel’s request, not for flood mitigation – Stan Dogbe

President's aide Stan Dogbe has explained that Friday's beachfront demolition near Labadi Beach Hotel was not part of the government's flood mitigation efforts. In a Facebook update, Mr Dogbe stated that the operation happened independently from the National Flood Mitigation Task Force, which is currently working on Kpeshie Lagoon, East Legon Boundary Road, Oyarifa, and Mayfair Estates.

These tasks are meant to assist the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Water Resources in preventing future flooding. He revealed that the demolition was carried out under National Security supervision at the request of the Labadi Beach Hotel. The affected structures, including the Polo Beach Club, were located directly in front of the hotel and were causing issues with safety, calmness, and image.

The Polo Beach Club was also said to be reducing the visitor experience and undermining the orderly management of a key tourism spot. The demolition of the Polo Beach Club took place on Friday, as part of a continuous clearance procedure around the La beachfront. This operation involved soldiers from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces and officers from the Ghana Police Service.

Mr Dogbe expressed a desire to hear more from the hotel regarding why they asked for the reclaiming of the beachfront. He also raised concerns about hygiene and security at unauthorized and uncontrolled commercial activities along the beach, which can cause significant sanitation issues and present security risks. He provided drone footage and videos of the area, questioning whether the Labadi Beach Hotel's desire for reclaiming its beachfront was justified.

The clarification came during a debate over the demolition, with La Dade-Kotopon MP Rita Naa Odoley Sowah questioning the exercise and saying she was told previously that no structures around Labadi Beach would be demolished. Additionally, the disputed beachfront area has been the center of a land ownership dispute, with Polo Beach Club operators taking legal action against the Labadi Beach Hotel and other parties over the contested beachfront land.

Mr Dogbe's statement aims to differentiate Friday's operation from the government's flood mitigation program, while highlighting sanitation, security, and tourism-management issues as the reasons for the action.