SSNIT defends La Beach demolition, cites encroachment and security concerns

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has explained its decision to seek the removal of structures and unauthorised occupants from the beachfront adjoining the Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra.

The clarification follows a demolition exercise on Friday, October 2, which affected several structures and businesses along the La Beach area, including the La Pleasure Beach and Polo Beach Club.

The exercise was carried out under the supervision of National Security, with personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service deployed to the area.

SSNIT said it had sought the urgent intervention of the National Security Council Secretariat to deal with what it described as persistent unlawful occupation, encroachment and unauthorised activities on the beachfront.

“These assets belong to the workers and pensioners of Ghana,” SSNIT said, explaining that the two hotels form part of its investment portfolio and constitute significant national hospitality and tourism assets.

The Trust said it had a fiduciary responsibility to protect the investments and ensure that they continued to generate sustainable returns for contributors and pensioners under the Basic National Social Security Scheme.

According to SSNIT, the continued encroachment posed risks to the safety and security of hotel guests, employees and visitors, as well as exposing the area to fire, sanitation, environmental and public-health hazards.

It also cited concerns over unauthorised access to sensitive operational areas, degradation of the coastal ecosystem, damage to the hotels’ reputation and disruption of hotel operations and the guest beach experience.

SSNIT further said the continued expansion of the encroachments could make recovery of the affected areas increasingly difficult and costly.

The demolition had initially generated confusion over whether it formed part of the government’s ongoing flood mitigation exercise in Accra.

Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe, subsequently clarified that the operation was separate from the government’s flood mitigation task force.

“The beaches will be cleaned and restored to a safe and desirable state and will remain open to the public,” the Trust assured.