Dr Bawumia Condemns La Pleasure Beach Demolition

The Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has condemned the demolition of structures at La Pleasure Beach in Accra, describing the exercise as wanton and bizarre.

 

In a press statement issued from Kumasi on Saturday, 3rd October, 2026, Dr. Bawumia said La Beach is socially, economically, culturally and internationally significant and has evolved to become the most vibrant beach resort in Ghana.

 

 

The demolition was carried out in the early hours of Friday, October 2, 2026, by a joint team of military and police personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces with support from the Ghana Police Service. Security personnel reportedly arrived at about 4 a.m. and directed workers and operators to vacate, giving them minutes to retrieve belongings before structures were pulled down.

 

 

The exercise affected La Pleasure Beach and the Polo Beach Club, located close to the Labadi Beach Hotel, and has triggered strong resistance from La Dadekotopon MP Rita Naa Odoley Sowah who confronted military personnel at the site.

 

Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe, has clarified that the demolition was not part of government’s anti-flood task force campaign, but was carried out under National Security at the request of Labadi Beach Hotel over safety, sanitation and reputation concerns.

 

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Reacting to the development, Dr. Bawumia said the enclave is a source of livelihood for thousands of people especially the youth and has been the hub of many international functions. He recalled that during the NPP government’s tenure, it was one of the key places which supported the successful Year of Return and related activities which put Ghana on the map.

 

“It’s sad that this very significant enclave has been demolished so wantonly. It is particularly painful and surprising that even movable assets which the owners could have removed easily were destroyed in a most bizarre fashion,” the statement said.

 

Dr. Bawumia has pledged to make La Beach a major tourist and economic enclave if given the mandate, outlining a 5-point plan:

 

1. We will rebuild the beach economy and issue leases to each business.

2. We will redesign the space to meet standards and assist the operators to run it.

3. We will secure the space for Labadi Beach Hotel and others and allow them to coexist with smaller businesses who together create the beach ecosystem.

4. We will engage the owners of LABOMA beach and resolve their issues and work with them to establish their business and make them compliant with law.

5. We will also work on the lagoon and resolve issues related to flooding and the environment.

 

He added: “I am committed to save the thousands of jobs that beach economy supports and to improve them.”

 

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The demolition has left several vendors and business operators counting their losses, with many seen salvaging belongings from the rubble.