Residents of the La district in Accra are preparing to litigate against the recent clearing of the La Pleasure Beach Resort, claiming the coastal land belongs to their community. MyJoyOnline reported that the dispute intensified after military and police units cleared the area near the Labadi Beach Hotel. The operation involved the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service, forcing traders and operators to vacate their stalls and structures.
Nsiah Akuetteh, the legal representative for the community, stated that the resort’s management cleared the site without sufficient prior consultation. He characterized the move as a form of trespass and warned that future investors might face similar legal hurdles if the ownership question remains unsettled. Akuetteh argued that relying on security guards or financial investment does not equal true land tenure. He suggested that the management should pause to negotiate with the affected business owners to determine a path forward.
The October 2 clearing operation disrupted the operations of over 85 commercial entities and displaced more than 4,000 individuals. According to MyJoyOnline, these operators now face significant financial setbacks and uncertainty regarding when they can resume work. Akuetteh’s legal team is currently drafting documents to formalize these claims in court, aiming to prevent the property from being handed to a third party without a clear title.
Vincent Sowah, a former Member of Parliament for the La Dadekotopon constituency, supported the community’s position. He argued that the beach dispute is part of a larger issue involving the land taken for the Ghana International Trade Fair, where he claimed compensation was delayed. Sowah compared the situation to the return of Patase lands in Kumasi to the Golden Stool, asking why similar treatment was not applied to the La stool. He urged the state to sit down with traditional authorities to finalize the ownership details and ensure the community’s consent before further development proceeds.