Omanghana
Progressive People’s Party member Divine Nkrumah has criticized former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia over his condemnation of the La Pleasure Beach demolition, accusing him of showing concern for displaced businesses selectively.
Nkrumah questioned the consistency of Bawumia’s response, arguing that his sympathy for beachfront operators contrasted with his conduct during the financial sector clean-up under the previous New Patriotic Party administration. He alleged that Bawumia failed to demonstrate comparable concern for people who lost jobs, businesses and investments during that exercise.
The criticism follows the demolition of structures at La Pleasure Beach and adjoining leisure facilities in Accra on Friday, October 2, 2026. Shops, stalls, sheds and administrative facilities were among the structures affected.
Some operators told the Daily Graphic that although they had received notice about two weeks earlier, they were not informed of the precise date, leaving them unable to adequately prepare or relocate their belongings.
In a statement issued in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, Bawumia condemned the manner of the demolition, particularly the destruction of movable property that owners could have retrieved.
Describing the exercise as “wanton” and the destruction of movable assets as “bizarre,” he said the beachfront played an important role in tourism and provided livelihoods for many young people.
Bawumia pledged to help restore the beach economy through redevelopment, formal leases for individual businesses and a redesign of the area to meet appropriate standards. His proposals also included addressing flooding around the lagoon and creating arrangements for smaller businesses to operate alongside Labadi Beach Hotel and other establishments.
Nkrumah, however, argued that those commitments should be assessed against Bawumia’s record in government. He maintained that any attempt to champion affected entrepreneurs must also acknowledge the hardships associated with earlier policies implemented while Bawumia served as Vice President.
His criticism centered on what he described as an inconsistent response to the loss of livelihoods, rather than the redevelopment proposals alone.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stanislav Xoese Dogbe, said National Security carried out the clearance at the request of Labadi Beach Hotel to secure its beachfront.
The explanation has become part of the wider debate over the exercise, with affected operators raising concerns about the notice provided and their ability to protect their property before demolition began.
Source: Omanghana
