Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has revealed that government under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo has taken significant steps aimed at completing all housing projects started by previous governments.
According to him, among other things, government is taking the necessary steps to revive the Saglemi Housing Project and others which encountered some challenges.
Speaking at the commencement of the Pokuase Housing Project at Pokuase today, August 1, 2023, Mr Asenso-Boakye indicated that the current government is focused on building affordable homes for the ordinary Ghanaian.
“In 2006, under the leadership of President John Agyekum Kufuor, government launched an Affordable Housing Programme which aimed to construct 5,000 housing units in six 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 incomplete 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.”
Francis Asenso-Boakye
Citing some challenges with the project, Mr Asenso-Boakye iterated that 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. However, he stated that the project also encountered fundamental challenges, which halted the project due to various factors, which government is taking the necessary steps to revive.
“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.”
Francis Asenso-Boakye
Furthermore, the housing minister explained that 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. With this, he indicated that the government would offer “free unencumbered land and associated infrastructure” to the private sector to construct the housing units at an agreed selling price under the projected reviews undertaken.
“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 parts: the supply-side and the demand-side…”
Francis Asenso-Boakye
President Akufo-Addo justifies new housing project
On his part, President Akufo-Addo justified government’s decision to commence a new housing project rather than continue with the Saglemi Housing project started by the erstwhile John Mahama’s administration.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony President Akufo-Addo stated that the government would have incurred more debt in an attempt to complete the Saglemi Housing Project.
“We are aware of the delays and setbacks encountered during the execution of this project. The issues about the scope of work and the money expended on the Saglemi project have been taken to the Criminal Investigations Division of the Ghana Police Service for investigation which has resulted in criminal judicial proceedings. However, in the meantime, to forestall the project from deteriorating the Minister of Works and Government has actively engaged government, cabinet, the Ministry of Finance and the office of the Attorney General on the completion of the project.”
President Akufo-Addo
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