The government has begun the next phase of its intervention at the Kpeshie Lagoon, directing authorities to restore portions of the wetland reclaimed after the demolition of structures within its protected buffer zone.
The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) has been tasked with coordinating the ecological restoration, with the Forestry Commission and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) expected to provide technical support for the rehabilitation programme.
The directive was issued by the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Xoese Dogbe, at Laboma following an exercise by the Post Flood Mitigation Task Force to remove illegal structures from the lagoon’s protected area.
Rather than ending the intervention with the demolition exercise, the government says the cleared sections must be rehabilitated and returned to a condition that allows the wetland to perform its natural flood-control function.
The restoration is expected to include the planting of coconut and other tree species considered suitable for the area, alongside measures to prevent renewed encroachment and support the regeneration of the wetland.
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Mr Dogbe stressed that demolishing the structures was only part of the intervention, with the broader objective being the recovery and protection of the lagoon itself.
According to him, restoring the reclaimed portions to their natural state would strengthen the wetland’s capacity to retain excess water while helping to prevent further development within the protected area.
The Kpeshie Lagoon has historically served as an important natural drainage and water-retention area in Accra. Its capacity has, however, been affected by years of sand filling, reclamation and construction, which have progressively reduced parts of the wetland.
The authorities are now expected to clear the debris left behind by the demolitions, restore vegetation and put protective measures in place to ensure that the recovered land is not occupied again.
The government maintains that the success of the intervention will depend not only on removing illegal structures but also on keeping the reclaimed areas protected and restoring the ecological functions of the lagoon.
The Kpeshie intervention forms part of a wider effort to protect wetlands and natural drainage systems across the Greater Accra Region, particularly areas where encroachment and development have contributed to recurrent flooding.
