La Pleasure Beach management sues SSNIT, two hotels

The management of La Pleasure Beach has sued Hotel Investments (Ghana) Limited, La Palm Beach Hotel Limited and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) over the demolition of structures at the beachfront in Accra.

In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Stanley Anyetei Nunoo, who describes himself as Chairman of the Management Committee of La Pleasure Beach, is seeking a declaration affirming the committee’s authority to manage, regulate and control activities at the beach, including the licensing of operators and the collection of revenue.

The suit alleges that the defendants, together with security personnel said to have been engaged for the operation, unlawfully demolished the committee’s management office and other licensed structures, disrupting its activities.

According to the statement of claim, the current management committee was established following a Court of Appeal order dated July 21, 2022, which the plaintiff says dissolved an interim management committee set up by the High Court in April 2013.

The plaintiff maintains that the committee has since managed the beachfront, issued licences to operators, regulated commercial activities and generated revenue from its operations.

The suit also argues that Hotel Investments (Ghana) Limited and La Palm Beach Hotel Limited, which operate Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel respectively, have no ownership or possessory rights over La Pleasure Beach or its management, apart from an access licence granted by the committee.

These claims form part of the plaintiff’s case and are yet to be determined by the court.

The statement of claim alleges that personnel from the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces entered the beachfront at dawn on or around October 2, 2026, and pulled down the committee’s management office and other structures.

The plaintiff claims that furniture, equipment, files, records and other belongings were either destroyed or removed during the operation. Staff members and licensed operators were also allegedly forced to leave the premises.

According to the suit, the demolition took place without a court order or warrant and without prior notice or a hearing for the management committee.

The committee is therefore asking the court to determine whether the demolition and the defendants’ alleged involvement in the operation were lawful.

The court action also references a press release issued by SSNIT on October 2, 2026, in which the Trust said it had sought the intervention of the National Security Council Secretariat over what it described as persistent unlawful occupation, encroachment and unauthorised activities on the beachfront adjoining Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.

In the statement cited in the court documents, SSNIT said the two hotels formed part of its investment portfolio and that it had a responsibility to safeguard those investments for the benefit of contributors and pensioners.

The plaintiff, however, alleges that the defendants jointly participated in or facilitated the demolition of the structures at La Pleasure Beach.

The allegations against the defendants have not been established by the court.

The management committee is asking the High Court to formally recognise its authority to manage, control and regulate activities at La Pleasure Beach, including the power to issue licences to operators.

It is also seeking a declaration that the demolition of the structures and the alleged interference with its operations were unlawful.

The committee wants an injunction restraining the defendants, their representatives and agents from taking over the beach or interfering with its management and possession. It is further asking the court to order that possession and management of the beachfront be restored to the committee.

In addition, the plaintiff is seeking an independent valuation of properties allegedly damaged, destroyed, removed or lost during the operation.

The suit also seeks compensation for the alleged destruction of property, loss of revenue and business, and disruption of the committee’s activities. Other reliefs include aggravated and exemplary damages, interest on any sums awarded, legal costs and any further orders the court considers appropriate.

The case will require the court to determine the parties’ respective rights and responsibilities concerning the management and use of La Pleasure Beach.