The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) says it sought the intervention of the National Security Council Secretariat to address the persistent unlawful occupation, encroachment and unauthorised activities along the beachfront adjoining and directly in front of the Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. The statement follows the demolition of structures in the La Beach area of Accra, including La Pleasure Beach and the Polo Beach Club near the Labadi Beach Hotel.
The exercise was supervised by military personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, with support from the Ghana Police Service. Vendors and businesses operating in the area were directed to vacate the premises. In a statement issued on Friday, October 2, SSNIT said the two hotels form part of its investment portfolio and are important national assets in Ghana’s hospitality and tourism sector.
The Trust said it has a fiduciary responsibility to protect these investments, preserve their value and ensure that they continue to generate sustainable returns for contributors and pensioners under the Basic National Social Security Scheme. “These assets belong to the workers and pensioners of Ghana,” SSNIT stated. According to SSNIT, the continued encroachment created security risks for hotel guests, employees, service providers and visitors, while also increasing the possibility of unauthorised access to sensitive guest and operational areas.
The Trust added that the activities heightened the risk of fire, poor sanitation, environmental damage and public health hazards, while contributing to the deterioration of the beachfront, compromising privacy and undermining the service standards expected of internationally recognised hospitality facilities.
SSNIT also raised concerns about the degradation of the coastal ecosystem resulting from construction activities along the beachfront and on beach sand. It said the situation could damage the reputation of the hotels and Ghana’s tourism industry, while disrupting hotel operations and negatively affecting guests’ beach experience.
The Trust warned that such disruptions could affect patronage and revenue, with potential consequences for the overall financial performance of the hotels. It further expressed concern that continued expansion of the encroachments could make the recovery of the affected lands increasingly difficult and expensive.
“In view of the foregoing, SSNIT requested support from National Security to protect the assets belonging to Ghanaian workers,” the statement said. SSNIT added that the affected beaches would be cleaned and restored to a safe and attractive condition and would remain accessible to the public.
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