Stan Dogbe, the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations and Chairman of the National Flood Mitigation Taskforce, has said the demolition exercise at the Laboma beach enclave was not a blanket demolition of businesses in the area.
He disclosed that the exercise targeted specifically marked structures that had to be removed to allow for the dredging of silted areas within the Kpeshie Lagoon’s water-retention basin.
Stan Dogbe explained that the basin, which historically held water flowing downstream into the sea, has been affected by the destruction of vegetation.
He added that the developments have affected the flow of water from upstream towards the sea and reduced the basin’s capacity to retain floodwaters.
In a Facebook post, he wrote, “Sunday morning’s exercise by the Post Flood Mitigation Task Force and the REGSEC was not a demolition of Laboma”.
“It is these structures that the owners were alerted more than a month ago, by the REGSEC, that were pulled down on Sunday morning. Other structures and businesses have not been touched because that is not within the work scope and mandate of the Task Force,” he said.
His comment follows the demolition exercise at the Laboma enclave that began in the early hours of Sunday, September 13, 2026, in the La Dade-Kotopon Municipality, with several other structures located within the protected area also affected.
According to authorities, the affected developments fall within designated buffer zones of the Kpeshie Lagoon and are therefore not permitted to remain in the area.
Reports suggest the exercise follows a directive issued on August 7, 2026, ordering the removal of structures encroaching on waterways and their buffer zones as part of broader measures to tackle flooding.
The demolition exercise affected the popular Pink Flamingo Lounge at Laboma Beach and other structures on Sunday, September 13, as the Post Flood Mitigation Taskforce intensified efforts to reclaim areas identified as falling within the protected buffer zone.
Meanwhile, Daniel M.K. Okpoti, the Board Director of Laboma Beach, has cried out that the ongoing demolition of structures at Laboma could affect the livelihoods of more than 3,000 people employed by businesses operating in the area.
He disclosed that the affected businesses provide a source of income for thousands of workers who now face uncertainty following the demolition exercise.
Mr Okpoti stressed that although authorities have a responsibility to address flooding concerns, the demolition must take into consideration its economic impact on businesses and their workers.
He further appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and halt the demolition.
The Board Director of Laboma Beach argued that alternative measures could be considered if infrastructure such as the bridge needs to be upgraded.
He stated, “We are humans, and we have created employment for people. We have employed over 3,000 people who depend on this place for their source of income. We are very disappointed with what is happening”.
“The President must intervene and call the authorities to order. They know where the water passes. If the bridge needs to be upgraded, they should do that, but the water does not flow through this area,” he said.
@ghnow_ Scenes from ongoing demolition at Laboma beach in Accra as part of government's plans to curb flooding in Accra #GHnow #fyp ♬ Breaking News – DM Production
@ghnow_ Ongoing demolition at Laboma beach in Accra as part of government’s plans to curb flooding in Accra #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – ADAAMAINA
