Sankofaonline News Desk
Accra: A decisive environmental intervention is underway at the Kpeshie Lagoon after Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), Stan Xoese Dogbe, directed the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) to begin full ecological restoration of newly reclaimed portions of the wetland. The order follows the demolition of illegal structures that had encroached deep into the lagoon’s protected buffer zone, choking one of Accra’s most critical flood‑control ecosystems.
Issued on the sidelines of a Post‑Flood Mitigation Task Force operation at Laboma, the directive marks a significant shift from mere demolition to active environmental recovery. Mr. Dogbe stressed that the government’s objective is not simply to clear unauthorized buildings, but to return the lagoon to its natural state, rebuild its water‑retention capacity, and prevent future encroachment that worsens flooding across the capital.
To achieve this, the GARCC will collaborate with the Forestry Commission and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to undertake a structured restoration program. Plans include planting coconut and other climate‑resilient tree species, stabilizing the soil, and re‑establishing the lagoon’s natural vegetation cover , all essential steps to revive the fragile ecosystem.
The Kpeshie Lagoon, long recognized as one of Accra’s most important flood‑intervention points, has suffered years of degradation through sand filling, illegal reclamation, and unregulated development. These activities have drastically reduced its ability to hold stormwater, contributing to recurrent flooding in surrounding communities.
With the illegal structures now cleared, authorities are moving into the next phase: debris removal, vegetation restoration, and sustained environmental protection.
Officials say the goal is to strengthen the lagoon’s resilience ahead of future rainy seasons and ensure that the wetland once again functions as a natural buffer for the city.
Environmental experts have welcomed the move, describing it as a critical step toward reversing decades of damage and restoring one of Accra’s most endangered ecological assets.
As the restoration begins, the Kpeshie Lagoon stands at a turning point , reclaimed, protected, and finally on the path toward renewal.
