Government orders ecological restoration of reclaimed sections of Kpeshie Lagoon
Written by; Regina Bless
The Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Stan Xoese Dogbe, has directed the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) to begin the ecological restoration of reclaimed sections of the Kpeshie Lagoon following the removal of illegal structures within the wetland’s protected buffer zone.
The restoration exercise will be undertaken in collaboration with the Forestry Commission and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), with plans to plant coconut and other suitable tree species to support the recovery of the fragile wetland ecosystem.
The directive was issued at Laboma following a demolition exercise conducted by the Post Flood Mitigation Task Force as part of ongoing efforts to restore flood-control infrastructure and protect critical water retention areas across the Greater Accra Region.
Mr. Dogbe stressed that the exercise should go beyond the removal of illegal structures, noting that the ultimate objective is to return the affected areas to their natural state.
According to him, restoring the reclaimed sections will help strengthen the lagoon’s capacity to retain excess water, improve the resilience of the wetland and prevent future encroachment.
The Kpeshie Lagoon remains one of Accra’s important natural flood-control areas. However, years of reclamation, sand filling and development have significantly reduced its natural capacity to hold floodwaters, contributing to concerns about flooding in surrounding communities.
Following the clearance of illegal structures, authorities are expected to focus on removing debris, restoring vegetation and implementing measures to ensure the continued protection of the wetland.
The restoration effort forms part of broader measures aimed at strengthening Accra’s flood-control systems and protecting environmentally sensitive areas from activities that could worsen flooding.
For the initiative to achieve its intended results, sustained monitoring and enforcement will be crucial. Authorities will also need the cooperation of residents and communities to prevent renewed encroachment and protect the restored areas.
The Kpeshie Lagoon restoration therefore represents not only an environmental intervention but also an important step towards building a more resilient Accra capable of better managing the increasing threat of flooding.