The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo has given residents and property owners encroaching on the Kpeshie Lagoon buffer zone at Laboma Beach a 21-day ultimatum to vacate or remove their structures or face demolition.

The minister made the announcement during an inspection of the area, describing the exercise as part of ongoing efforts to reclaim waterways and address perennial flooding.

"We are here purposely because of the ongoing flooding within the river," the minister said. "We did a demolition exercise some time ago. It doesn't mean that we stopped... Today, we are here to support them to make sure that we reclaim our waterway."

She disclosed that authorities had intended to begin demolitions immediately but decided to grant residents more time after learning that occupants had not received sufficient notice.

"Honestly, we were here to do the exercise, but on second thought, we were told that the occupants have not been given enough notice," she said. "We are giving them 21 days."

The minister warned that all structures within the designated buffer zone must be removed before the deadline.

"Those buildings that fall within the buffer should be ready within 21 days. Either they demolish them themselves, or REGSEC will come back to demolish them," she stated.

She explained that restoring the buffer zone is critical to improving drainage and reducing flood risks in nearby communities.

"We are going to create a kind of buffer to make sure that when it rains, that is where the chunk of the water settles and then gradually flows into the sea. We want to get back that waterway," she said.

The minister attributed recent flooding, including incidents in Tse Addo, to increasing encroachment on waterways.

"For the first time, we heard that Tse Addo got flooded. It's because of the encroachment," she said. "We didn't prevent anybody from developing the place but at least give some kind of space so that when it rains, the water can flow."

Authorities are currently assessing all structures within the Kpeshie Lagoon buffer zone ahead of the planned demolition exercise once the 21-day notice expires.

This comes as a response by the government in addressing and controlling the effects of the floods especially after the casualties recorded on June 29, 2026.