The Kpeshie Lagoon is set for ecological restoration following the removal of illegal structures within its protected buffer zone at Laboma in the Greater Accra Region.
Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations and Chairman of the National Flood Mitigation Taskforce, Stan Xoese Dogbe, has directed the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) to commence the restoration of sections of the lagoon that have been reclaimed.
The restoration exercise will be undertaken in collaboration with the Forestry Commission and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), with plans to plant coconut trees and other suitable vegetation to rehabilitate the degraded wetland.
The directive was issued at Laboma on Sunday, September 13, following a demolition exercise carried out by the Post Flood Mitigation Task Force.
The demolition formed part of broader efforts to restore flood-control infrastructure and safeguard critical water-retention areas across the Greater Accra Region.
Mr Dogbe said the restoration programme would extend beyond the removal of illegal structures, stressing the need to return the reclaimed portions of the lagoon to their natural state.
The move is expected to enhance the lagoon’s ability to retain floodwaters while preventing further encroachment on the protected wetland.
The Kpeshie Lagoon has been identified as a critical flood-control intervention point in Accra. However, years of reclamation, sand filling and uncontrolled development have significantly reduced its natural water-holding capacity.
As part of the restoration programme, authorities are expected to clear debris and reintroduce vegetation to strengthen the lagoon’s resilience and improve its capacity to help mitigate flooding in surrounding communities.
