La Beach demolition: The ‘so-called encroachers’ have been there for over 70 years – Freddie Blay

Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has questioned the decision to describe businesses operating along the La Beach beachfront as encroachers.

According to him, several businesses have operated along the beachfront for more than 70 years, long before the construction of the Labadi Beach Hotel and other hotels in the area.

“The beachfront is not part of Labadi Beach Hotel. Businesses have been operating along the beachfront for over 70 years, even before these hotels were built. So why describe them as encroachers?” he asked.

Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr Blay argued that the beachfront has developed into a thriving tourism and entertainment economy that should not be disrupted through demolition.

He said the businesses provide a different tourism experience from what the hotels offer, particularly during festive periods when the area attracts large numbers of patrons.

“It has been developing into a kind of ecosystem and an economy. It’s a well-organised place, especially during the festive season. They rake in millions. It’s a whole tourism economy. It’s a different product from what the hotels offer,” he said.

Mr Blay also questioned the financial management of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust’s (SSNIT) hospitality investments, arguing that workers’ funds should not continually be used to support investments that are not performing as expected.

“It’s becoming a sinking fund that workers’ funds are used to take care of. SSNIT is losing,” he said.

He said the focus should instead be on strengthening the hospitality industry by linking the hotels with other businesses and investors to improve their performance.

He further disputed claims regarding the ownership of the land on which some of the affected businesses operate, saying he had information that the area was not part of the land covered by the Executive Instrument being relied on to identify encroached portions.

“I have information that over 60 years compensation was paid to the La Traditional Council for the land,” he said.

Mr Blay also cited claims by the La Traditional Council that about 85 people operating in the area pay rent to the stool.

He therefore argued that the affected businesses should not automatically be classified as encroachers.

“The La Traditional Council has even come out to say that 85 people from there pay rent to the stool, so they are not encroachers,” he said.

He further criticised the decision-makers for what he described as failing to appreciate the economic activity taking place along the beachfront.

Mr Blay said some members of the SSNIT Board of Trustees may not have visited the area to fully understand the scale of businesses and tourism activities taking place there.

“Some of the SSNIT Board of Trustees, some of them have not even been to the beachfront to see what is going there,” he claimed.

He said the demolition and clearance exercise could undermine a growing tourism economy and have wider implications for Ghana’s hospitality sector.

“Those who took the decision, I think they have done a great disservice to the country. The hospitality industry is one growing one and that place is a growing economy,” he said.

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