The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) called on the National Security Council Secretariat to end illegal encroachment at the beachfront adjoining Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. On Friday, SSNIT management detailed the reasons behind a recent demolition aimed at removing unlawful occupants from the area.
The two hotels form part of SSNIT’s investment portfolio. The Trust said it has a fiduciary responsibility to protect these assets, which contribute to the Basic National Social Security Scheme that benefits Ghanaian workers and pensioners.
SSNIT described persistent unlawful occupation and unauthorized activities on the beachfront as a growing threat. The encroachments were said to pose risks including threats to the safety and security of hotel guests, employees, service providers, and visitors. The Trust also cited unauthorized access to sensitive guest and operational areas as a major concern.
The statement listed several other risks: increased fire hazards, sanitation and public health issues, deterioration of beachfront conditions, and damage to the coastal ecosystem caused by construction activities on the beach sand. SSNIT added that these factors were damaging the reputation of the hotels, the Trust itself, and Ghana’s tourism industry.
The encroachment was also disrupting hotel operations, affecting guest experience, and reducing patronage and revenue. SSNIT warned that further expansion of the illegal settlements could make it more difficult and costly to reclaim the land.
In response, SSNIT requested urgent support from the National Security Council Secretariat to remove the unlawful occupants. The Trust said the beaches would be cleaned and restored to a safe and desirable state, and reassured the public that the beachfront would remain open.
A statement issued by the SSNIT Board of Trustees on 2 October 2026 detailed these concerns and the steps taken to protect the assets. The Trust stressed that these properties belong to Ghanaian workers and pensioners.
The involvement of National Security indicates the scale of the encroachment and the importance of the hotels within Ghana’s tourism sector. It also raises questions about the challenges of managing public beachfront assets in a rapidly developing coastal area.
The demolition at La Beach followed months of reported unauthorized activities that SSNIT said threatened to undermine both the financial returns and the physical environment of the beachfront. The hotels affected are internationally recognised hospitality facilities that depend on maintaining high standards for their guests.
SSNIT’s actions reflect ongoing tensions between private investment interests, public access, and informal settlements on Ghana’s coastlines. The Trust’s appeal to National Security suggests the situation had escalated beyond normal enforcement capabilities.
The beaches adjoining the hotels will undergo cleaning and restoration, according to SSNIT. The Trust’s statement did not specify a timeline for completing the restoration or further details on how the area will be managed to prevent future encroachment.
The removal of unauthorized occupants at La Beach is one of several recent efforts across Ghana to reclaim public spaces. It also highlights the complexities involved when state-owned investment entities confront informal land use on valuable tourism assets.
SSNIT’s focus on safeguarding the beachfront assets reflects broader concerns about protecting investments that fund social security benefits. The Trust’s decision to involve National Security underscores the seriousness of the encroachment issue at La Beach.
According to 3News.
