The Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, has directed the immediate suspension of a development project believed to be posing a serious threat to the Kpeve Water Works, the key facility that supplies potable water to several parts of the Volta Region.

This decisive action followed a stakeholder meeting convened at the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) in Ho to address growing concerns circulating in the media and among residents regarding ongoing activities near the water body that feeds the Kpeve Water System.

The meeting brought together key institutions, including the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Water Resources Commission, the National Investigative Bureau (NIB), National Security, the Fisheries Commission, and other relevant agencies.

Before hearing submissions from the various stakeholders, Hon. Gunu assured the gathering that the Regional Coordinating Council had convened the meeting to deliberate on the issue and seek an amicable solution. “This matter is about life — people’s lives,” the Minister emphasized. “Let no development project, however important, threaten the lives of our people. We will take decisions that serve the public interest above all else.

After listening to all parties, the Minister ordered the immediate halt of the project and directed the removal of the heap of materials threatening the water source as a temporary measure.

He further instructed that a joint team of all relevant stakeholders visit the affected site to assess the situation and finalize a permanent solution to safeguard the water system and ensure uninterrupted access to safe drinking water.

Hon. Gunu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting natural resources and prioritizing public safety, stressing that no development should come at the expense of human life and environmental sustainability.