On Sunday, September 13, the government carried out a demolition of several buildings and resorts in the Laboma enclave of the Kpeshie Lagoon as part of flood‑control and waterway reclamation efforts in the Greater Accra Region. The operation, which targeted structures along Laboma Beach, has sparked criticism from former Greater Accra Regional Minister Titus Glover, who warned that the exercise could have serious economic and social consequences for the area.
Glover said that the removal of these structures could lead to job losses and undermine years of investment by private individuals and businesses that had poured money into the area. He argued that the government should have explored alternative technical interventions before resorting to demolition, especially where substantial investments have been made and livelihoods depend on the affected businesses.
Speaking to reporters, Glover urged the authorities to approach the exercise with consideration for the people whose businesses and livelihoods could be affected. “Let’s look at these things with a human face. Government cannot provide jobs. There are a lot of people who are asking for jobs. They are knocking on the doors of politicians every day. Look at the youth and the number of graduates who are churned out every year. They can’t find space in government jobs, and so if people have invested in these things, and so if the only thing we can do is to demolish, we have a problem,” he said.
Glover added that he would support the government where people have deliberately built on waterways, but he called for a more balanced approach that protects both the environment and the economic interests of local stakeholders.
As the Greater Accra Region continues to grapple with flooding and infrastructure challenges, the debate over Laboma’s demolition highlights the tension between environmental restoration and economic development. The government has not yet released a detailed plan outlining how it will mitigate the impact on affected businesses and workers.
Observers will be watching closely to see whether the authorities will offer compensation or alternative sites for displaced businesses and how they will address the concerns raised by Glover and other community leaders.
