Accra:The La Community has announced its intention to pursue legal action to halt the redevelopment of La Pleasure Beach Resort.
According to Ghana Web, Nsiah Akuetteh, the lawyer for the community, emphasized that preparations were underway to contest what he described as an illegal encroachment on their land. He warned potential investors that they too could face legal consequences if they attempted to develop the site. During a recent press conference, Akuetteh stated that neither La Palm nor the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) had the right to proceed with the redevelopment.
This legal threat follows the recent demolition of structures along the La Beach area in Accra, including La Pleasure Beach and the Polo Beach Club near the Labadi Beach Hotel. The operation was overseen by military personnel from the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service, who instructed vendors and businesses to vacate the premises.
Akuetteh described the alleged encroachment as trespass and indicated that the community had already initiated legal proceedings. He warned that any investors accepting the land for redevelopment would also be subject to litigation.
He argued that the management of the resort and any prospective developers should engage directly with the community and businesses currently operating on the land before proceeding with any redevelopment plans. Akuetteh emphasized the importance of considering existing businesses that generate profit in discussions about the site's future.
The lawyer clarified that the community is not against development, but insisted that proposals should be presented to the landowners for consideration before any work begins. He noted that the La people possess the expertise to evaluate investment proposals and stressed the importance of reaching agreements with the landowners to prevent dependency on developers.
Akuetteh concluded that the community would oppose any redevelopment efforts that bypass their consent and highlighted the necessity of engaging with the rightful landowners rather than relying solely on financial resources or security personnel.