President John Dramani Mahama has broken ground for the Ho Oxygen City Housing Project, describing it as a landmark intervention that reflects a deliberate national vision of inclusive development, balanced regional growth, and dignified housing for Ghanaian families.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony in Ho, the President said the project goes beyond the construction of homes and represents a broader rethink of how Ghana plans and develops its cities and towns.
Addressing chiefs, community leaders, investors, and residents, President Mahama said the Oxygen City project fulfils a key promise made during the 2024 election campaign to ensure that every region receives its fair share of national development.
He stressed that the Volta Region, long regarded as an important but underutilised part of the national economy, is now firmly positioned within Ghana’s development priorities.
“We are gathered here not simply to cut sod for another housing project, but to affirm a deliberate national vision,” the President said. He explained that housing remains one of the clearest indicators of a society’s development agenda, adding that his administration is fundamentally rethinking how Ghana builds communities to meet both present needs and future opportunities.
President Mahama noted that successive governments have struggled with uncoordinated urban sprawl and speculative land use, resulting in settlements that lack proper infrastructure and social services.
Promoting Integrated Urban Development
Oxygen City, he said, offers a practical alternative by promoting integrated urban development where housing is delivered alongside roads, transport systems, commercial centres, social amenities, and environmental safeguards.
According to the President, the project demonstrates what can be achieved when state institutions work in partnership with traditional authorities and private sector actors.
He described the involvement of Ghana Limited and the Tema Development Corporation in land acquisition and planning as a conscious effort to promote regional equity rather than concentrate growth around Accra and Tema.
Ghana continues to face a significant housing deficit, which President Mahama said weighs heavily on working families, young professionals, and public sector workers.
He argued that addressing this challenge cannot be done in isolation, noting that housing must be linked to economic opportunities and social infrastructure to be truly sustainable.
Projects such as Oxygen City, he said, respond directly to this need by creating complete ecosystems where people can live, work, and access essential services within a defined geographical space.
The President described the Volta Region as uniquely positioned to benefit from such integrated development. He cited its growing role as an administrative hub, an educational centre, a tourism destination, and an emerging investment corridor.
Oxygen City, he said, is expected to act as a catalyst that expands housing supply, attracts both domestic and foreign investment, generates employment, and strengthens the Volta corridor’s contribution to the national economy.
“As President, my overriding hope is that every national project must translate into real benefits for communities,” President Mahama said. He added that development must be felt locally through jobs for the youth, opportunities for entrepreneurs, and improvements in the quality of life for families.
Project on 1, 860 Acres
Providing details of the project, President Mahama revealed that the land for Oxygen City, measuring approximately 1,860 acres, was acquired through collaboration between the Housing Ministry and traditional authorities.
He said the development will include a mix of residential, commercial, health, educational, and recreational facilities designed to serve both residents and the wider region.
Among the planned facilities is a specialised medical centre expected to provide treatment for kidney disease and attract patients from across Ghana and beyond. The project will also feature a food and entertainment hub, recreational spaces, and venues for cultural and musical events.
In a light-hearted moment, the President said the entertainment centre would be suitable for major performances, reflecting the project’s ambition to create a vibrant social environment. Education will also form a central part of the development.
The President said land has been earmarked for the establishment of quality educational institutions, ranging from kindergarten through secondary school, to ensure that families living in the area have access to first-class education. In addition, a modern market is planned to support local commerce and meet the daily needs of residents.
Construction of Additional Residential Units
President Mahama announced that the State Housing Company will also play a role in the project, with plans to construct additional residential units within the Oxygen City enclave.
He described the initiative as historic, noting that it is the first major TDC-led development of its kind outside the traditional Tema acquisition area. Concluding his remarks, the President said the sod-cutting ceremony symbolised more than the start of construction.
“Today, we are planting more than just foundations for buildings. We are planting hope, opportunity, and confidence in what Ghana can achieve when clear vision is matched with decisive action.”
President John Dramani Mahama
He formally endorsed the Oxygen City project and expressed confidence that it would contribute to building a Ghana that is balanced in growth, inclusive in opportunity, and dignified in the way its people live.
