The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to residents occupying the buffer zone of the Kpeshie Lagoon at Laboma Beach in the La Dade-Kotopon Municipality to vacate or face forced eviction.
The directive forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to reduce flooding in the capital by reclaiming waterways and preventing further encroachment on protected buffer zones.
According to REGSEC, the Kpeshie Lagoon has become heavily silted over the years, while the construction of unauthorized structures within its buffer zone has worsened the area’s vulnerability to flooding.
During an inspection of the site on Friday August 7, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, said authorities had initially planned to begin the demolition exercise immediately. However, following concerns that residents had not been given sufficient notice, REGSEC decided to grant occupants a final 21-day grace period.
“We are currently at La-Boma to assess the buildings located within the buffer zone. All structures situated within the buffer will be removed,” she said.
She explained that the notice was intended to give affected residents enough time to voluntarily demolish their structures before the authorities intervene.
“Initially, we were here to carry out the exercise, but we were informed that the occupants had not been given enough notice. We are therefore giving them 21 days. Those whose buildings fall within the buffer zone should either demolish them themselves within the period or REGSEC will return to undertake the demolition exercise,” the Regional Minister stated.
The planned demolition is expected to clear obstructions along the lagoon and restore its natural drainage capacity as part of wider measures to mitigate perennial flooding in parts of Accra.
The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to residents occupying the buffer zone of the Kpeshie Lagoon at Laboma Beach in the La Dade-Kotopon Municipality to vacate or face forced eviction.
The directive forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to reduce flooding in the capital by reclaiming waterways and preventing further encroachment on protected buffer zones.
Monitoring visit
Following the recent clean-up operations, desilting of drains and earlier demolitions undertaken after the June 29 floods, REGSEC embarked on a monitoring visit to selected Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) last Wednesday, August 5.
Speaking after the visits, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, said the government remains committed to tackling flooding and reclaiming waterways obstructed by illegal structures.
According to the minister, the demolition exercise forms part of a broader strategy to restore buffer zones, improve drainage and prevent a recurrence of the devastating floods that affected parts of Accra in June.
"We have noticed that a lot of the buildings must come down and so we will do a major demolition over there, hopefully next week. We want to create the buffer like we said. We can see that the refuse was caused by the squatters over there. Once we clear the place, we wouldn’t have issues there," she said.
She reiterated the government's commitment to enforcing planning regulations and removing structures that obstruct waterways to reduce the city's flood risk.
