The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) has been directed to begin the ecological restoration of reclaimed sections of the Kpeshie Lagoon following the removal of illegal structures from the wetland’s protected buffer zone.
Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Stan Xoese Dogbe, gave the directive at Laboma after the Post Flood Mitigation Task Force carried out a demolition exercise as part of efforts to restore flood-control infrastructure and protect critical water-retention areas across the Greater Accra Region.
The restoration exercise will involve the Forestry Commission and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), with plans to plant coconut and other suitable trees while putting in place environmental safeguards to help restore the fragile ecosystem.
Mr Dogbe said the exercise should go beyond simply clearing illegal structures, stressing that the ultimate goal was to return the reclaimed sections to their natural state.
He said restoring the lagoon would help improve its capacity to retain floodwaters and prevent further encroachment into the wetland.
The Kpeshie Lagoon is considered one of Accra’s critical flood intervention points, but years of reclamation, sand filling and development have significantly reduced its natural capacity to hold water.
Following the ongoing clearance, authorities are expected to focus on removing demolition debris, restoring vegetation and maintaining sustained environmental protection measures to strengthen the wetland’s resilience and improve its ability to support flood management in the area.
