Military defends Laboma demolition process as property owners dispute notice claims

The Commanding Officer of Ghana's 48 Engineer Regiment has pushed back against allegations that property owners at Laboma Beach were not adequately informed before demolition work began, insisting that residents received roughly a month's notice of the operation.

Lieutenant Colonel Frank Osei Amponsah told JoyNews that the notification process started as early as 5th or 6th August, well ahead of the scheduled demolition commencement on 27th August. He acknowledged, however, that some property owners delayed taking action until the exercise was imminent, despite having sufficient time to prepare.

The Laboma situation: what sparked the demolition

The demolition at Laboma Beach follows a 21-day ultimatum issued on 7th August by the Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC), directing all occupants of the protected buffer zone of the Kpeshie Lagoon to vacate the premises. Government authorities have framed the exercise as part of a broader effort to reclaim waterways, demolish unauthorised structures, and address the recurring flooding challenges that plague parts of the Greater Accra Region.

The operation has brought disruption to numerous businesses and workers operating in the area, many of whom have expressed concern about losing their investments and livelihoods. Some affected property owners have contested the military's account, arguing that the notice given was insufficient to allow them to properly relocate operations, salvage stock, or find alternative premises.

Why it matters for Ghana

The Laboma demolition highlights the ongoing tension between urban planning and environmental protection efforts on one hand, and the livelihoods of informal traders and small business operators on the other. Ghana's coastal regions face genuine challenges with flooding and unauthorised settlement in protected areas, yet communities dependent on these spaces for survival often feel they bear the heaviest cost of enforcement operations.

This dispute also underscores broader questions about how government communicates with affected residents when implementing major infrastructure or environmental reclamation projects. Effective notice periods and fair compensation mechanisms remain contentious issues in Ghana's urban development landscape, particularly where poor and informal settlements are concerned. The outcome of this exercise may influence how authorities approach similar operations across the country's lagoon and waterway protection zones.

Military's response and next steps

Lieutenant Colonel Osei Amponsah stated that the operation has been conducted with care to minimise damage to property and belongings, allowing owners time to remove items before structures were brought down. He reported that the exercise had proceeded without major challenges or resistance from property owners up to the point of his comments on Sunday, 13th September.

The military's position reflects the authorities' view that sufficient warning was provided and that affected persons had adequate opportunity to act. Nevertheless, the concerns raised by displaced business owners suggest that the notice period, however long on paper, may not have been sufficient for many to secure alternative arrangements or recover their full investments in the area.