La Shikitele, Nii Adjei Koofeh IV, has denied responsibility for the demolition of structures at the Laboma Beach Resort, insisting that the exercise was carried out by the government after repeated warnings to the resort’s management to stop construction within the buffer zone of the Kpeshie Lagoon.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in La, the kingmaker said the management of the resort had allegedly ignored directives from both the former and current Greater Accra Regional Ministers to halt developments at the site.
He rejected claims that he personally called for the demolition and was responsible for the destruction of businesses, investments and livelihoods at the resort.
‘I have no hand in the demolition’
Nii Adjei Koofeh IV said evidence presented at the town hall meeting showed that he was not responsible for the demolition.
“They are saying, if you look at their letter, that I solely called for the destruction of Laboma and that I have destroyed businesses and investments and hurt families,” he said.
He added:
“But we can all attest to the fact what has been shown here, the evidence that has been adduced… attests to the fact that I have no hand in the demolition of Laboma.”
According to him, the demolition followed the resort management’s alleged failure to comply with directives issued by the authorities.
“If you’ve shown this sort of gross disrespect and the law has caught up with you, why should you blame me for doing that?” he asked.
Accuses land sellers of fraud
Nii Adjei Koofeh IV also accused individuals who allegedly sold land at the site to businesses of disposing of property they did not own.
“The Laboma people do not own land. So if they’ve sold land that doesn’t belong to them to you, they’ve defrauded you,” he said.
He urged businesses affected by the demolition, as well as others who have blamed him for the exercise, to direct their concerns towards the individuals who allegedly facilitated the land transactions and developments.
“They should go after them and not me,” he said.
The controversy surrounding the Laboma Beach Resort centres on the legality of developments within the Kpeshie Lagoon buffer zone and the enforcement actions taken against structures at the site.
