Labadi Beachfront Demolition: La Traditional Council speaks

The La Traditional Council, the custodian of the lands in the La State, has spoken out on the demolition exercise led by National Security at the beachfront of the Labadi Beach Hotel on behalf of the owner of the hotel, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), on Friday, October 2, 2026.

Speaking after a high-level stakeholder meeting on the exercise, La Shikitele, Nii Adjei Koofeh IV, said that the La Traditional Council was displeased with the demolition exercise carried out by National Security, accusing the authorities of failing to engage the traditional area before the operation.

The La Shikitele said that the council was aggrieved by the approach adopted by National Security, insisting that, as the primary stakeholders and landowners, it should have been informed before the exercise was undertaken.

“What we said at the meeting was that, firstly, we were very, very aggrieved and unhappy about the approach because we were not engaged and involved,” the traditional leader said.

He said that National Security had argued that not every operation or exercise required prior notification.

“National Security said it is not every operation or exercise that people need to know about. We told them that we are primary stakeholders as the landowners. At least, we should have been alerted,” the chief stated.

The Council also expressed concern about public communications suggesting that engagements with the traditional authorities had already taken place before the demolition exercise.

According to the chief, a publication on the proposed redevelopment had indicated that engagements with the traditional authorities would continue, creating the impression that consultations had already taken place.

“If you say you will continue to engage us, it means you have already started engaging us, which wasn't true,” he said.

The Council said it raised the issue with the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), which apologised. National Security also apologised for failing to engage the traditional authorities before the demolition exercise.

“National Security also apologised for not engaging us before the exercise was carried out,” the representative added.

SSNIT sets records straight on Labadi beachfront demolition

On the way forward, Nii Adjei Koofeh IV, said that the stakeholders had agreed that the redevelopment process should be put on hold while a committee was formed to examine the issues surrounding the beachfront.

The committee is expected to consider SSNIT's redevelopment plans and help the parties reach an amicable settlement that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders.

“They said they want everything to be done according to due process and proper arrangements. They intend for the redevelopment to be put on hold. They are going to form a committee to go into the issues and consider the plans that SSNIT has for the place so that we can come to an amicable settlement that will lead to the satisfaction of all stakeholders,” the representative explained.

The Council stressed that its primary concern was to ensure that the interests of the La traditional area were protected in any future arrangements.

Watch a video of his remarks below:

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