Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman, Freddie Blay, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to clarify whether he was aware of the directive that led to the demolition of Polo Beach Club at La Beach in Accra.
According to Mr Blay, the demolition was an unfortunate decision and the President should take responsibility if he was aware of the directive.
“Mahama should come out and say he didn’t know about the order that was given. It’s a very wrong and unfortunate decision they took, and I still blame the President for not taking action on the decision,” he said on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen.
Mr Blay further claimed that the demolition had resulted in significant financial losses to the state and called for those who authorised the exercise to be held accountable.
“This is causing financial loss to the state. The board that authorised this reckless demolition should be made to pay for it. The demolition cost about $10 million,” he alleged.
He stressed that Polo Beach Club was a recreational facility used by Ghanaians from across the political divide, insisting that the facility was not exclusively associated with the NPP or any political group.
“Polo Club is for Ghanaians and not politicians; even the NDC General Secretary and other members come to enjoy there,” he said.
Mr Blay also alleged that the demolition was carried out without giving occupants sufficient opportunity to remove their belongings.
He attributed the exercise to Richard Jakpa and claimed that the occupants were not given adequate time to retrieve their property before the demolition.
He said the beachfront had developed over the years into an economic and tourism hub, particularly during festive periods when businesses attract large numbers of patrons.
According to him, the area provides a different tourism experience from the hotels and contributes significantly to the wider hospitality industry.
“It has been developing into a kind of ecosystem and an economy. It is 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 argued that the demolition could undermine the growth of the hospitality and tourism sector and described the decision as a disservice to the country.
“Those who took the decision, I think they have done a great disservice to the country. The hospitality industry is one growing industry and that place is a growing economy,” he said.
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