The Post Flood Mitigation Taskforce has demolished the popular Pink Flamingo Lounge and other structures within the Kpeshie Lagoon buffer zone at Laboma Beach.
The demolition exercise, led by the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, began in the early hours of Sunday, September 13, 2026, and forms part of government efforts to address the perennial flooding situation in Accra and its environs, particularly following the June 29 floods.
Authorities say the affected developments fall within areas designated as buffer zones for the lagoon and are therefore not permitted to remain.
The exercise follows an August 7 directive to remove structures encroaching on waterways and their buffer zones as part of broader measures to address flooding and restore natural drainage channels in the Greater Accra Region.
Speaking to the media shortly after the demolition exercise, the Commanding Officer of the 48 Engineer Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Osei Amponsah, said the task force’s activities include desilting water bodies, dredging, and, where necessary, demolishing structures that obstruct the free flow of water or block waterways.
Lieutenant Colonel Osei Amponsah said the operation at Laboma is necessary because the Teshie Lagoon runs through the area into the sea, with structures along the waterway contributing to flooding.
“Here at Laboma, as you can see, the Teshie Lagoon runs through into the sea. And all these structures that you see here have, in some way or the other, blocked the waterway, causing severe floods,” he said.
He said the impact of the June 29 floods was severe, noting that personnel of the 48 Engineer Regiment had to rescue more than 121 victims during the floods.
“During the 29 June floods, the 48 Engineering Regiment had to rescue over 121 victims. That tells you the devastating impact of the whole flood,” he said.
He said the demolition of the structures had become necessary to reduce the impact of future flooding caused by blocked waterways.
Lieutenant Colonel Osei Amponsah added that the exercise would not end with the demolition of the structures, as the task force also intends to dredge the waterway and expand its width to allow water to flow freely.
“We are not only demolishing the structures; we aim to dredge the water and expand its width to ensure free flow of water,” he said.
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