The Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye says the President Akufo-Addo is committed to completing all housing projects started by previous governments.
Mr Asenso-Boakye said the government is taking the necessary steps to revive the Saglemi Housing Project and others which encountered fundamental challenges.
The Minister who was speaking at the commencement of the Pokuase Housing Project at Pokuase on Tuesday, August 1, said the current government is focused on building affordable homes for the ordinary Ghanians.
In his address, the Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) Bantama constituency in the Ashanti Region revealed some of the reasons the Saglemi Housing Project has stalled.
“In 2006, under the leadership of President John Agyekum Kufuor, government launched an Affordable Housing Programme which aimed to construct 5000 housing units in six (6) different towns over a five-year period. Unfortunately, despite the noble intentions, the project did not yield the anticipated outcomes, due to challenges in project conception and funding.”
“However, significant steps have been taken by government to complete some of the projects, including completed ones at Asokore Mampong in the Ashanti region, Borteyman and Kpone in the Greater Accra region, while the others are being given the due consideration.”
“Similarly, in 2012, under the leadership of President John Evans Atta Mills, and later President John Mahama, the NDC Government also initiated the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project, with the intention of addressing the country’s housing needs. Regrettably, this project also encountered fundamental challenges, which halted the project due to various factors. Government is taking the necessary steps to revive the project.”
“These projects did not progress as expected, primarily, because it failed to consider the entire ecosystem involved in the delivery of housing, such as the availability of land, infrastructure, sustainable funding, building materials, and an inclusive demand-side arrangement,” he said.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker said the Pokuase Housing Project has been taken through the necessary feasibility and viability processes to ensure it does not face the challenges of the previous ones.
According to him, the government in this project will offer “free unencumbered land and associated infrastructure” to the private sector to construct the housing units at an agreed selling price.
“Unlike the previous efforts, this revised programme stands out, as distinct and exceptional in multiple ways. This distinction arises primarily from the valuable insights gained from our past experiences, inspiring our commitment to approach things the right way, this time.”
“When I assumed office in 2021, we took the decision to undertake a comprehensive review of the public housing profile. This review led to the development of a revised framework, which consist of two (2) parts: the supply-side and the demand-side.”
“On the supply-side, the government will provide free unencumbered land and associated infrastructure, after which the private sector will be invited to construct the housing units for its subsequent sale at an agreed selling price.”
[5:36 am, 01/08/2023] Asenso Dep COS: Low to middle income earners targeted in Pokuase Housing Project – Housing Minister
Francis Asenso-Boakye, the Minister for Works and Housing says the newly launched Pokuase Housing Project has been crafted to ensure the middle income earners are not priced out.
The Minister said the project has the ordinary citizens at its base of commencement and will not depart of it.
Delivery his speech at the commencement of the Project at Pokuase, the sector minister also disclosed that it will have recreational facilities.
“Unlike other public housing projects that have ended up being purchased by only the rich, stringent mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that the target group of this project, which is the low to middle income earners are reached.”
“These mechanisms include income-based eligibility criteria, no resale policy, and a cap on housing units per person,” he said.
The Bantama Member of Parliament (MP) also said the projects will have eco-friendly spaces for children to play and grow.
“The developers are also required to incorporate extensive landscaping into the project. This will not only create aesthetically pleasing environment, but also, contribute to carbon dioxide absorption, helping to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and the perennial flooding in the country.”
“Mr. President, not only that, the project makes provision for safe and eco-friendly spaces for children to play and grow, recreational facilities, such as, football fields, tennis courts, swimming pools, as well as commercial spaces.”
“By this, we strive not only to meet the housing needs of our people, but aim to create a model community, that embraces eco-friendliness, supports local industries, and adapts to the challenges posed by climate change.”
About the Pokuase Housing Project
The Pokuase Affordable Housing Project ensures inclusivity, prioritising low to middle-income earners.
Stringent eligibility criteria will provide equitable access to the housing units, preventing resale and promoting equal opportunities for eligible applicants.
The project will also incorporate essential amenities and social infrastructure, fostering a vibrant community and enhancing residents’ overall well-being.
