The Minister in charge of Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has officially handed over 26 units of accommodation to the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).
The John Agyekum Kufuor (JAK) Estate Project, located at Apatrapa in the Atwima Nwabiagya South, is designed to house GIS staff members. The 26 units consist of 2 to 4 bedroom apartments.
This project aims to address the housing needs of Ghanaians.
During the official handover ceremony, Mr. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah emphasized the importance of housing as a matter of dignity that the Ghanaian government must provide for its citizens.
He highlighted that Ghana currently faces a housing deficit of 1.8 million units, and the government is diligently working to address this issue by providing housing solutions for the people.
“Today in Ghana, we need 1.8m homes or housing units for the average household of 4. What this means is that a lot of Ghanaians do not have dignified housing. The consequences is that, Landlords, real estate agents take our people for granted.
As a result, the government of Ghana is working hard to deliver on housing.” He stated.
The Government of Ghana introduced a housing policy in 2015, followed by an affordable housing program in 2017. This initiative, led by the State Housing Company, Ministry of Works and Housing, and the Tema Development Corporation, aims to provide approximately 10,000 housing units under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo.
In addition to this, the government is actively working to revitalize abandoned housing projects such as the JAK Estate Project in Kumasi and the Sagleme Project in Accra.
Since 2017, the State Housing Company has constructed 8 new estates, including the JAK Estate. Currently, the government is in the process of building 100 houses at the JAK Estate, with 70 units already completed.
“And it’s out of this 70 that the GIS purchases 26 foe its officers.” Kojo Oppong Nkrumah revealed.
The Nana Addo government according to Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has brought the government housing program which is developing specifically, accomodation for security services and other public servants.
The Nana Addo led government has Developed an incentive framework that attracts the private sector, to come in as master developers and develope the big new settlements and cities with 5000 home plus with integrated amenities that will make a lot of housing at affordable prices for majority of Ghanaians.
He added that, the ministry of works and housing is under process to consulting with stakeholders to complete this incentive package laid before parliament and cabinet for approval and use that to stimulate the quick housing to reduce the 1.8 million housing deficit in Ghana within the next 10 years.
Additionally, government is about to start a district housing program which will ensure that across the 261 districts in the country.
Local building materials are going to be used as the final product and he believes that will be very affordable.
He said Government will surely deliver more housing, particularly to public servants who are posted into rural areas and the districts to serve Ghana.
Also persons who are working elsewhere in these places and would want to purchase a house instead of building will also benefit from the project.
Source: Oyerepafomonline.com /Joseph Marfo
