Stan Dogbe Clarifies La Beach Demolition Was Not Part of Flood Mitigation Exercise

Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe, has clarified that the recent demolition of structures along the La Beach area in Accra was not part of the government’s flood mitigation programme.

His comments follow the demolition of the La Pleasure Beach and Polo Beach Club near the Labadi Beach Hotel as authorities moved to clear structures along the beachfront.

The exercise was supervised by 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.

However, in a Facebook post on Friday, October 2, Mr Dogbe said the operation was separate from activities being undertaken by the government’s flood mitigation task force.

“Let’s not get it twisted. Friday’s action along a section of the beachfront was not a Flood Mitigation Action by the government task force,” he stated.

He explained that the demolition had no connection with ongoing flood mitigation works at Kpeshie Lagoon, East Legon Boundary Road, Oyarifa and behind Mayfair Estates.

According to Mr Dogbe, the beachfront clearance was conducted under the supervision of National Security following a request from the Labadi Beach Hotel.

He said the structures, including the Polo Beach Club, had been permanently built on the beach in front of the hotel and were, according to the hotel, affecting its safety, tranquillity and reputation.

Mr Dogbe added that the hotel would provide further details on its reasons for seeking to reclaim the beachfront.

He also expressed concern about sanitation and security, arguing that unauthorised and unregulated commercial activities along the beach create wider challenges.

“We must all be concerned about the serious sanitation issues that these unauthorised and unregulated commercial operations cause, in addition to the security risks,” he said.

Mr Dogbe said he had reviewed drone footage and videos of the area before questioning whether the Labadi Beach Hotel was justified in seeking to reclaim its beachfront.

“Is the Labadi Beach Hotel not right in reclaiming its beachfront (I am not talking about the La Pleasure Beach, please),” he asked.