The La Community has vowed to challenge any plans to redevelop the La Pleasure Beach Resort without its approval, insisting that the disputed property belongs to the people of La.
The position follows the demolition of structures at La Beach in Accra, affecting facilities including La Pleasure Beach and the Polo Beach Club, located near the Labadi Beach Hotel.
The exercise was supervised by personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces’ 48 Engineer Regiment, with support from the Ghana Police Service. Traders and business operators in the area were directed to vacate the premises during the operation.
The demolition has heightened tensions over ownership of the land and raised concerns about the future of businesses operating along the beachfront.
Addressing a press conference, the community’s lawyer, Nsiah Akuetteh, said legal action had already been initiated over what he described as the unauthorised occupation of the land.
He accused the resort’s management of proceeding with the demolition without consulting the community and warned that investors who attempt to develop the property before the ownership dispute is resolved could also face legal action.
Mr Akuetteh argued that financial resources or the deployment of security personnel could not replace legitimate ownership of land.
He stressed that the community was not opposed to development but insisted that any redevelopment plans must begin with dialogue and an agreement with those claiming ownership of the property.
He urged the resort’s management to engage the community and address the concerns of traders and other affected persons to prevent further tensions.
Mr Akuetteh added that the community would carefully assess any investment proposals and would not allow development to proceed in a manner that undermines its land ownership claims or threatens residents’ livelihoods.
