Bawumia Pledges to Rebuild La Beach Economy After Controversial Demolition

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party's presidential candidate, has strongly criticised the demolition of structures at La Pleasure Beach in Accra, calling the exercise destructive to a vital economic and cultural hub for thousands of Ghanaians. The condemnation comes after security personnel, including members of the 48 Engineer Regiment and Ghana Police Service, razed buildings at the beach on Friday, 2 October, leaving business operators and workers scrambling to salvage belongings and equipment.

In a statement released on Saturday, 3 October, Bawumia expressed deep concern about the manner of demolition, noting that movable assets were needlessly destroyed alongside permanent structures. He described La Beach as economically significant, hosting major tourism and entertainment activities that generate income for thousands, particularly young people seeking livelihoods in the entertainment and hospitality sectors.

Economic and Cultural Significance

La Pleasure Beach has established itself as a popular destination for both local visitors and international tourists, hosting concerts, events and shows that contribute meaningfully to Ghana's tourism revenue. The beach has become synonymous with Accra's vibrant entertainment culture, attracting both domestic and foreign customers seeking leisure and dining experiences. The demolition has raised concerns about the future of this economic ecosystem and the livelihoods dependent on it.

Bawumia highlighted the beach's role in supporting Ghana's tourism and related sectors during the NPP's tenure in government, emphasising its potential as a major economic enclave if properly managed and developed.

Bawumia's Vision for Rebuilding

Should he win the upcoming election, Bawumia has committed to a comprehensive five-point plan to revitalise La Beach:

• Rebuilding the beach economy and issuing formal leases to legitimate businesses to create stability and encourage investment
• Redesigning the space to meet required standards and regulations whilst preserving its commercial viability
• Securing land for a beach hotel and additional accommodation facilities to boost tourism infrastructure
• Engaging the owners of LABOMA Beach to resolve existing disputes and establish compliant, regulated businesses
• Undertaking lagoon rehabilitation to address flooding and environmental concerns affecting the area

Why It Matters for Ghana

The La Beach demolition represents a broader tension in Ghana's urban development: the need for land management and environmental compliance against the protection of informal economy sectors that employ thousands. Beaches remain critical assets for Ghana's tourism industry, which contributes substantially to foreign exchange earnings and employment. How the state manages beach spaces—whether through demolition, regulation, or planned development—signals its approach to balancing modernisation with livelihood protection.

For young Ghanaians in particular, informal beach businesses provide crucial employment opportunities when formal sector jobs are scarce. The issue has become politically significant, with opposition figures using it to question the government's approach to vulnerable workers and small businesses. The revival of La Beach could demonstrate a commitment to inclusive economic development that does not sacrifice informal traders and entrepreneurs in pursuit of urban renewal.

Bawumia's pledge suggests that if the NPP returns to power, it would pursue a managed redevelopment model rather than outright demolition, combining business formalisation with infrastructure improvement and new tourism investment.