Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, has ordered the immediate suspension of a development project believed to be endangering the Kpeve Water Headworks, a vital facility that supplies potable water to several communities in the Volta Region.
The directive followed a high-level stakeholder meeting held at the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) in Ho after reports revealed that ongoing construction activities near the water intake of the Kpeve Water Works were compromising water quality.
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The meeting brought together representatives from the Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Water Resources Commission, National Investigations Bureau (NIB), National Security, Fisheries Commission, Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), landowners, developers, and other key agencies.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Gunu stressed that human life and public safety must take precedence over all development interests. “This matter is about people’s lives. No project, regardless of its importance, should threaten the lives of our people. The public interest will always take precedence,” he stated.
After extensive deliberations, the Minister ordered the immediate removal of heaps of materials deposited near the water source as a temporary measure to prevent further contamination. He also directed the formation of a joint technical team comprising all relevant agencies to inspect the affected site and propose a sustainable solution to protect the Kpeve Water System and ensure uninterrupted access to safe drinking water.
Mr Gunu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting natural resources and ensuring that all development activities in the region adhere to environmental and safety standards. “Development is essential, but it must never come at the expense of human life or environmental sustainability,” he emphasised.
The ongoing project at Kpeve has already affected the operation of the water treatment plant, as muddied water from the construction site has made it difficult for the facility to function effectively.
A Technical Sub-Committee of the Afadzato South Assembly had previously upheld the development of land at Kpeve Tornu by Stallion BSK Ghana Company Limited, whose construction activities have encroached on the buffer zone and interfered with fresh water at the intake point of the GWL Headworks. Both Ghana Water Limited and the PURC have raised concerns about the developer’s disregard for the protection of the buffer zone.
