NPP Flagbearer Pledges Rebuild Of La Beach Economy After Demolition

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has described the demolition of La Beach as a painful and avoidable loss of a key national asset. In a public statement, he said the enclave is socially, economically, culturally and internationally significant, having evolved into Ghana’s most vibrant beach resort. He noted that thousands of livelihoods, especially those of youth in La, depend on the beach economy. Bawumia pledged that an NPP government would rebuild the beach economy, issue leases to each business, redesign the space to meet standards and assist operators to coexist with smaller traders. He added that the party would secure the Labadi Beach Hotel and other facilities, resolve issues for Laboma Beach owners and address flooding and environmental concerns linked to the lagoon. The statement also promised to protect the thousands of jobs supported by the beach economy.

SSNIT, the state pension fund, justified the removal of unauthorised occupants from the beachfront near the Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. In a media release dated October 2, 2026, the Trust said the two hotels are part of its investment portfolio and represent significant national hospitality assets. It stressed a fiduciary duty to protect these investments for over two million contributors and pensioners. SSNIT listed eight risks from the encroachment, including safety threats, fire hazards, degradation of the coastal ecosystem and reputational damage to Ghana’s tourism sector. The Trust requested National Security support to protect assets belonging to Ghanaian workers.

The operation, carried out by National Security operatives on a Thursday, demolished several makeshift structures along the beach stretch in front of the hotels. SSNIT said the action was a restoration exercise, not a closure, and that the beaches would be cleaned and reopened to the public. Reactions on social media have been mixed, with some praising the asset protection drive and others warning of livelihood impacts for displaced traders. The demolition has sparked debate over the future of the beachfront and the balance between investment protection and community livelihoods.