NPP will rebuild La Beach economy, issue leases to businesses – Bawumia

New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has pledged to rebuild the economy around La Beach and issue leases to businesses operating in the area if elected President.

Dr Bawumia said he was convinced that La Beach should be developed into a major tourist and economic enclave and pledged to work with the people of La, particularly businesses operating at the beach, to achieve that objective. 

He said an NPP government would rebuild the beach economy, issue leases to individual businesses, redesign the area to meet appropriate standards and support operators to run their businesses in a more structured manner.

In a statement reacting to the demolition at La Beach, Dr Bawumia described the area as socially, economically, culturally and internationally significant.

According to him, La Beach had evolved into one of Ghana’s most vibrant beach destinations and served as a source of livelihood for thousands of people, particularly young people.

He said the area had also hosted several international functions and shows and played an important role in activities associated with the NPP government’s Year of Return programme.

“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,” he said.

Dr Bawumia said his proposed redevelopment would also seek to create space for the coexistence of major hospitality facilities and smaller businesses that contribute to the beach economy.

He said an NPP government would work with the operators of Laboma Beach to resolve outstanding issues and help them establish compliant businesses, while also addressing flooding and environmental concerns around the lagoon.

He further pledged to protect and improve the thousands of jobs supported by the beach economy.

Meanwhile, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has defended the removal of unauthorised occupants from the beachfront adjoining the Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.

In a statement dated October 2, 2026, SSNIT said it had sought the urgent intervention of the National Security Council Secretariat over what it described as persistent unlawful occupation, encroachment and unauthorised activities on the beachfront. 

The Trust said the two hotels form part of its investment portfolio and constitute significant national hospitality and tourism assets, adding that it had a fiduciary responsibility to safeguard the investments and preserve their value for contributors and pensioners.

SSNIT cited security, fire, sanitation, public-health and environmental concerns, as well as the potential impact of the encroachment on hotel operations, guest experience, revenue and Ghana’s tourism industry.

It said the cleared beaches would be cleaned and restored to a safe and desirable condition and would remain open to the public. 

The demolition, which involved personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces’ 48 Engineer Regiment and the Ghana Police Service, affected structures and businesses around the La Beach area, including La Pleasure Beach and the Polo Beach Club. 

Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations Stan Dogbe has separately clarified that the exercise was not part of the government’s flood mitigation programme, saying it was conducted under National Security supervision following a request from the Labadi Beach Hotel.