Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman, Freddie Blay, has criticised the demolition of Polo Beach Club at La Beach, arguing that the exercise has caused significant financial losses and disrupted a growing tourism and hospitality economy.
According to Mr Blay, some members of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Board of Trustees had not visited the beachfront to assess the activities taking place there before authorising the demolition.
He said the La Traditional Council had also indicated that about 85 people operating in the area pay rent to the stool, challenging the description of the affected businesses as encroachers.
“The SSNIT Board of Trustees, some of them have not even been to the beachfront to see what is going there. 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 in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen.
Mr Blay said the decision to demolish the structures was a disservice to the country, arguing that the beachfront had developed into an important economic and tourism hub over several decades.
He maintained that businesses had operated along the beachfront for more than 70 years, predating the construction of the Labadi Beach Hotel and other facilities 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.
He said the area had developed into a well-organised ecosystem that generated significant economic activity, particularly during festive periods.
According to him, the beachfront offers a different tourism product from what hotels provide and should instead be integrated into the broader hospitality and tourism industry.
Mr Blay also expressed concern about what he described as financial losses arising from the demolition, saying the authorities responsible should be held accountable for the consequences of the exercise.
He further argued that SSNIT’s investments should be managed in a manner that supports the growth of the hospitality industry rather than undermining businesses operating around its properties.
READ ALSO:
GAF Engineers demolish Polo Beach Club
Stan Dogbe clarifies La beach demolition, says action was requested by Labadi Beach Hotel
