The flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in a comment on Friday's demolition exercise undertaken by National Security at the La beachfront has said he was convinced that "we must make La beach a major tourist and economic enclave."
To Dr Bawumia, there was the need to redesign the space at La beachfront to meet standards and assist operators to run it.
"I pledge my commitment to the people of La, especially the businesses at La to make that happen.
In a statement issued on October 3, Dr Bawumia said, "we will rebuild the beach economy and issue leases to each business.
"We will redesign the space to meet standards and assist the operators to run it.
"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.
Dr Bawumia indicated that "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.
"We will also work on the lagoon and resolve issues related to flooding and the environment" and pledged his commitment to save the thousands of jobs that beach economy supports and to improve them.
He said the beach has evolved into the most vibrant beach resort in Ghana, serving as a source of livelihood for thousands of people, particularly the youth.
“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 La Beach had hosted many international functions and shows, and during the NPP government’s tenure, it was one of the key places that supported the Year of Return and related activities.
He pledged his commitment to making La Beach a major tourist and economic enclave, outlining measures his administration would pursue, including rebuilding the beach economy and issuing leases to each business, redesigning the space to meet standards while assisting operators, and securing space for Labadi Beach Hotel and others to coexist with smaller businesses.
He also said his administration would engage the owners of Laboma Beach to resolve outstanding issues and work on the lagoon to address flooding and environmental challenges.
“I am committed to save the thousands of jobs that beach economy supports and to improve them,” he said.
Background
The demolition occurred in the early hours of Friday, October 2, when personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service cleared structures at La Pleasure Beach and the Polo Beach Club near the Labadi Beach Hotel.
