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 begin restoring the Kpeshie Lagoon ecosystem following the removal of illegal structures.
In an interview, Mr Dogbe said the restoration exercise will involve the Forestry Commission and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), with plans to plant coconut and other suitable tree species to rehabilitate the degraded wetland.
“The restoration will go beyond clearing the area, as authorities will reclaim degraded sections, restore them to their natural state, improve the lagoon’s capacity to retain floodwaters and prevent further encroachment.”
He explained that the Kpeshie Lagoon remains a key flood-control point in Accra, but years of reclamation, sand filling and unregulated development have reduced its natural water-holding capacity.
“Authorities have identified the Kpeshie Lagoon as a critical flood intervention point in Accra, but years of reclamation, sand filling, and uncontrolled development have reduced its natural water-holding capacity. As part of efforts to strengthen the lagoon’s resilience against future flooding, authorities will remove debris and restore vegetation.”
The directive followed a demolition exercise carried out by the Post Flood Mitigation Task Force on Sunday, September 13, at Laboma, as part of efforts to restore flood-control infrastructure and protect critical water-retention areas across the Greater Accra Region.
