Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, the member of parliament for La Dadekotopon and Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has disclosed that the government will compensate victims of the La Pleasure Beach demolition.
According to Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, the government has established a committee to determine compensation packages for victims.
She further disclosed that affected persons have been compiled to facilitate the process, adding that the committee is expected to be constituted by early next week.
Speaking during his appearance at Parliament’s Local Government and Rural Development Committee, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah stated, “We’ve gotten their data, and the committee that is going to meet, we are going to look at what we’re going to give to them as compensation. So, they’ll be compensated, and the decision on the type of compensation hasn’t come out, or we haven’t finalised that.
“But definitely as a Member of Parliament, I’m following up deeply on that to ensure that everybody gets what they’re supposed to get. By early next week, the committee will be composed, and we’ll start meetings, and we’ll update the committee on whatever we come up with.”
Earlier, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah raised concern and expressed her displeasure over the exercise.
She argued that the demolition has affected people who depend on the beach for their livelihoods.
Rita Naa Odoley Sowah disclosed that the exercise was being led by the Labadi Beach Hotel and its board chairman, alleging that government officials had not been informed about the operation.
Speaking at the scene, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah said, “It is the Labadi Beach Hotel, with their board chairman, who is leading this exercise. Government has no knowledge”.
“I got wind of the fact that they were going to carry out the demolition here, and I went to the authorities, and they assured me that Labadi Beach Hotel would not be demolished,” she indicated.
Background
The demolition exercise began at the La Pleasure Beach in Accra amid a heavy security presence and a tense atmosphere as residents, workers and businesses tried to salvage their belongings.
The La Pleasure Beach demolition exercise is being carried out as a joint operation involving personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, alongside the Ghana Police Service.
Reports suggest several structures at the La Pleasure Beach have since been completely pulled down, while others have been partially demolished.
Meanwhile, workers and residents have been seen moving through the affected areas, clearing rubble and debris from structures, with some who depend on the facility for their livelihoods, were seen crying.
The demolition follows weeks of controversy over the future of the La Pleasure Beach, with management of the facility having previously rejected a directive to vacate the premises.
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