The Labadi shoreline demolitions: Who owns the beach?

On 2nd October 2026, a large-scale demolition operation took place on the Labadi shoreline, with heavy machinery tearing down structures including walls, kiosks, bars, and concrete extensions near the Labadi Pleasure Beach Resort and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. This action was a result of squatters and unauthorized constructions encroaching on the beach, which was identified as a public amenity and not private property.

The Law of Ghana, as governed by the Foreshore, the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), and the Constitution, clearly states that the foreshore and the land 50 to 100 meters inland from it belong to the State, vested in the President on behalf of the people. Despite this, some traditional authorities and hotel owners believed they had the right to own the shoreline, leading to years of trespassing and violation of coastal regulations.

The demolitions were also driven by public safety concerns as the Greater Accra coastline has been receding at an average rate of 2 to 4 meters per year since 2005 due to unregulated construction and beach erosion. In 2022, the Cabinet approved a 50-meter Coastal Buffer policy for new development and 100 meters in high-risk areas like Labadi, prohibiting permanent structures within this buffer without Cabinet approval.

The demolitions marked the first high-profile application of this policy in Accra, following similar measures in the Sakumono Ramsar site.

For Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Beach Resort, the issue is one of rights. While they hold a lease for their properties and have a right of access to the beach, they do not possess automatic rights to unobstructed views or visual amenity. If their structures obstruct the public's right to view the beach, create nuisance, or impede public use, they could potentially face legal action under the law of nuisance.

Following the demolition, remediation and restoration efforts are expected to restore the shoreline as a managed public beach with necessary amenities.