Laboma demolition: Kpeshie Lagoon to undergo ecological restoration after exercise

The Kpeshie Lagoon, a vital flood-management asset in Accra, is undergoing ecological restoration after the demolition of unauthorized structures within its protected buffer zone. Deputy Chief of Staff Stan Xoese Dogbe, who chairs the National Flood Mitigation Taskforce, has tasked the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) to begin restoring reclaimed areas of the lagoon.

This collaborative effort, involving the Forestry Commission and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), aims to replant coconut and other suitable tree species to rehabilitate the degraded wetland. Speaking on Sunday, September 13, following the Post Flood Mitigation Task Force's demolition exercise, Dogbe emphasized that the restoration would not conclude with the removal of illegal structures.

He stressed the importance of returning the reclaimed portions of the lagoon to their natural state, which would enhance the lagoon's capacity to absorb excess water during heavy rainfall and mitigate the risk of flooding in nearby communities. Due to decades of reclamation, sand filling, and unregulated development, the lagoon's natural ability to retain water has been severely diminished.

Authorities are now set to clear debris and reintroduce vegetation as part of their efforts to restore the wetland and bolster its resilience against future flooding events.