Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), Stan Xoese Dogbe, has directed the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) to commence ecological restoration works at reclaimed sections of the Kpeshie Lagoon, following the demolition of illegal structures within the wetland’s protected buffer zone.
The restoration, to be undertaken in collaboration with the Forestry Commission and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), will involve planting coconut and other suitable tree species, alongside measures to safeguard the fragile ecosystem.
Directive Issued at Laboma
Mr Dogbe issued the directive at Laboma, after a demolition exercise carried out by the Post Flood Mitigation Task Force. He stressed that the objective was not merely to clear encroachments but to return the reclaimed areas to their natural state, strengthen the lagoon’s floodwater retention capacity, and prevent future encroachment.
Critical Flood Intervention Point
The Kpeshie Lagoon has long been identified as one of Accra’s critical flood intervention points. Years of reclamation, sand filling, and unregulated development have reduced its natural water-holding capacity, exacerbating flood risks in surrounding communities.
Next Steps
With clearance now underway, authorities will move towards:
- Debris removal to restore water flow.
- Vegetation restoration through tree planting and ecological safeguards.
- Sustained environmental protection to strengthen the wetland’s resilience against future flooding.
Officials say the initiative forms part of a broader national effort to restore flood-control infrastructure and protect critical water retention areas across Greater Accra.
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