The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has taken decisive action against the illegal filling of a lagoon at Kpone-Katamanso.
The minister led a high-level delegation to the site, comprising Municipal Chief Executives, the Member of Parliament, and NADMO officials, to assess and address the situation.
According to her, all filling materials must be removed, and the lagoon restored to its original state within one week.
“The remediation exercise will be jointly supervised by the Municipal Chief Executives and the Greater Accra Regional NADMO Director”, she directed
Below is the full report:
REPORT ON THE ILLEGAL FILLING OF THE LAGOON AT KPONE-KATAMANSO
Date: 24th August, 2025
Prepared by: Hon. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, Greater Accra Regional Minister
1. Background
On 24th August, 2025, following reports and video submissions received from constituents and residents of the Kpone-Katamanso area, it was brought to my attention that portions of a natural lagoon in the community were being illegally filled with soil and other materials. This activity posed serious ecological risks, including disruption of natural drainage channels, potential flooding hazards, and long-term degradation of the aquatic ecosystem.
2. Stakeholder Engagement
To conduct an immediate on-site assessment, I led a high-level delegation comprising:
The Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs) of Ningo-Prampram and Kpone-Katamanso
The Member of Parliament for Kpone-Katamanso
The Greater Accra Regional Director of NADMO
The District NADMO Directors of Kpone-Katamanso
The Mayor of Accra
The purpose of this joint engagement was to independently verify the reports, ensure inter-agency coordination, and take immediate corrective measures.
3. Observations
Upon physical inspection of the site, the delegation observed significant filling works within the lagoon. Large quantities of soil and construction materials had been deposited, altering the natural water flow and obstructing the lagoon’s ecological functions.
This practice constitutes an unlawful environmental modification with the potential to:
Compromise flood control mechanisms,
Destroy aquatic biodiversity and
Create long-term environmental and social hazards for surrounding communities.
4. Directives Issued
Following consultations at the site, I engaged directly with the project manager responsible for the activity and issued the following instructions:
1. Immediate Remediation: All filling materials deposited into the lagoon must be completely removed and the lagoon restored to its original state within one (1) week from today, 24th August, 2025.
2. Supervision and Compliance: The remediation exercise shall be jointly supervised by the Municipal Chief Executives of Kpone-Katamanso and Ningo-Prampram, together with the Greater Accra Regional NADMO Director, to ensure full compliance.
3. Enforcement Measures: Non-compliance with this directive will attract strict enforcement actions, including legal sanctions and administrative penalties in accordance with existing environmental and local government regulations.
5. Conclusion
The preservation of natural ecosystems within the Greater Accra Region is a collective responsibility that cannot be compromised. The illegal filling of the lagoon at Kpone-Katamanso represents an unacceptable threat to both environmental sustainability and community safety.
As Greater Accra Regional Minister, I reaffirm the government’s commitment to safeguarding our environment and ensuring that all development activities comply with environmental laws and planning regulations. The lagoon at Kpone-Katamanso must be fully restored and protected for the benefit of current residents and future generations.
Signed,
Hon. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo
Greater Accra Regional Minister