The Labadi shoreline demolitions: Who owns the beach?

The Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), the Constitution, and long-standing common law are clear: The foreshore — that is, the land between the high-water mark and low-water mark - and the land 50 to 100 meters inland from it, is public land vested in the President on behalf of the people.

In 2022, Cabinet approved a National Coastal Development Buffer 50 meters from the high-water mark for new development, and 100 meters in high-risk areas like Labadi, Ada and Elmina.

Adjoining landowners have two distinct rights in law: Right of Access: Littoral landowners have a common law right of access to and from the sea over the foreshore.