{
  "id": 3892587,
  "title": "Military steps up dredging, lagoon restoration efforts across Accra",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/military-steps-up-dredging-lagoon-restoration-efforts-across-accra",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T04:21:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/military-steps-up-dredging-lagoon-restoration-efforts-across-accra/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ghana Armed Forces has ramped up sanitation, dredging and environmental restoration initiatives throughout the Greater Accra Region to enhance drainage systems and restore vital flood retention infrastructure. Brigadier General Richard Kinney, Commander of the 15 Engineer Brigade, revealed the Military's coordinated efforts during the Government Accountability Series. These operations encompassed dredging retention ponds, demolishing unauthorized structures, waste removal and reviving degraded water bodies in multiple areas of the capital. The Greater Accra Region frequently experiences flooding during heavy rainfall due to inadequate drainage, unauthorized waste disposal, and silted drains. Over the years, government agencies and metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies have conducted periodic dredging and desilting operations to boost stormwater flow and minimize flood risks in low-lying communities. Retention ponds and lagoons play a crucial role in the region's flood management, temporarily storing excess runoff during intense rains. However, many of these facilities have been compromised by urban expansion, waste dumping and unauthorized developments.\n\nBrig. Gen. Kinney addressed the completion of demolition works and the commencement of dredging at the Tessa Dam on Boundary Road to augment water retention capacity and drainage flow. Dredging operations have also been finalized at Oyarifa, with the deployment of equipment to Abokobi and Teiman for similar interventions on retention ponds in those communities. The initiative will subsequently shift to Damfa in the La Nkwatanang Madina Municipality, where engineers will work on a major retention pond to fortify flood mitigation infrastructure. Significant focus is currently directed towards the Lafa Basin retention pond at Mallam, where the Army is eliminating substantial volumes of solid waste deposited within the facility. Portions of the retention area were previously filled with waste materials, covered and compacted, allegedly for other purposes. Excavation works commenced at the site, with waste transported to Nsawam for disposal. Brig. Gen. Kinney noted that the operation would operate 24/7, with excavation and stockpiling occurring during the day and haulage operations at night to avoid heavy traffic.\n\nBeyond Mallam, the sanitation campaign will extend to the Kpeshie Lagoon area at Laboma, where portions of the lagoon have reportedly been filled with waste and encroached upon. The intervention will involve waste removal and the restoration of affected wetland ecosystem sections, in collaboration with relevant state agencies and efforts to re-establish mangrove vegetation. The next phase of the operation will cover the Sango Lagoon between Teshie and Nungua, another significant retention area identified for restoration works. Brig. Gen. Kinney emphasized that these efforts contribute to protecting drainage infrastructure, reclaiming ecologically sensitive areas and improving environmental sanitation across the Greater Accra Region. Authorities have issued notices to affected occupants, proceeding with enforcement measures where necessary to facilitate the restoration exercises. Those seeking compensation for affected properties are requested to provide documentation establishing ownership claims, with no such documents presented to the authorities so far.",
  "summary": "The Ghana Armed Forces has intensified sanitation, dredging and environmental restoration operations across the Greater Accra Region as part of efforts to improve drainage systems and reclaim critical flood retention infrastructure.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}