The Board of Trustees of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust has defended the removal of unauthorised occupants from the beachfronts adjoining the Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, stating that the action was necessary to protect assets belonging to Ghanaian workers and pensioners.
In a statement issued on October 2, SSNIT said it sought the urgent intervention of the National Security Council Secretariat to address the persistent unlawful occupation, encroachment, and unauthorised activities on the beachfronts directly in front of the two hotels.
The Trust explained that the two hotel properties form part of its investment portfolio and constitute significant national hospitality and tourism assets. It added that it has a fiduciary responsibility to safeguard these investments, preserve their value, and ensure they continue to generate sustainable returns for contributors and pensioners.
SSNIT listed several risks posed by the continued encroachment, including threats to the safety and security of hotel guests, employees, and visitors; unauthorised access to sensitive guest areas; increased exposure to fire, sanitation, and public health hazards; deterioration of beachfront standards; degradation of the coastal ecosystem; reputational damage to the hotels and Ghana's tourism industry; and disruption of hotel operations with adverse effects on revenue and financial performance.
The Trust also noted the risk of further expansion of the encroachments, which could make recovery of the affected lands increasingly difficult and costly.
"In view of the foregoing, SSNIT requested support from National Security to protect the assets belonging to Ghanaian workers," the statement read, adding that the beaches will be cleaned and restored to a safe and desirable state and will remain open to the public.
Background
The removal exercise, carried out in the early hours of Friday, 2 October 2026, involved personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service, who cleared structures at La Pleasure Beach and the Polo Beach Club.
The action has drawn political reactions, with NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia condemning the demolition as wanton and pledging to rebuild the beach economy if elected.
Deputy Chief of Staff Stan Dogbe clarified that the exercise was not part of the government's flood mitigation programme but was carried out under National Security supervision at the request of the Labadi Beach Hotel.
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