By Rebecca Lartey

The Member of Parliament for La-Dadekotopon and Deputy Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has distanced the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from the recent demolition exercise at the La Pleasure Beach.

According to the MP, neither the NDC nor its representatives in the constituency were informed about or involved in the decision to demolish structures at the beach.

Speaking at a press conference, Ms Odoley Sowah said the development came as a surprise to the party after checks conducted ahead of the exercise indicated that the La Pleasure Beach was not part of the demolition activities reportedly being undertaken by the Labadi Beach Hotel.

“The NDC is not aware of this, is not part of this, that they are going to demolish the Pleasure Beach,” she said.

The MP expressed concern over the manner in which the exercise was carried out, particularly the alleged failure to give affected businesses sufficient notice to remove their belongings.

She said the demolition, which she linked to the Labadi Beach Hotel and National Security, should have been preceded by proper engagement with businesses operating at the site and other relevant stakeholders.

“I want to say the harm has been caused, and I want to use this medium to appeal to whoever had businesses there,” Ms Odoley Sowah said.

She argued that adequate notice would have allowed the affected operators to secure their properties and belongings before the exercise.

“We should have been informed at least; the people could have taken out their things and whatever exercise they wanted to carry out,” she added.

The MP assured affected operators that the NDC would engage them and seek clarification from the relevant authorities on the circumstances surrounding the demolition.

She also announced plans for a stakeholders’ meeting involving traditional authorities, the NDC, Labadi Beach Hotel, affected operators and other relevant parties.

“Hopefully next week, we are going to have a stakeholders’ meeting to ensure that our chiefs are part of it, we are also part of it, Labadi Beach Hotel and all others who are supposed to be involved will be involved,” she said.

The proposed meeting is expected to provide a platform for the parties to discuss the demolition, address concerns raised by affected businesses and determine a way forward.