An advocacy group, Team Saglemi Not For Sale has expressed profound disappointment over the neglect of the 1,506 Saglemi housing units project, which are currently deteriorating due to lack of attention and maintenance.
A statement, signed by Nana Otu Darko, Convener of Team Saglemi Not For Sale, began by acknowledging the positive impact of the new police housing units, however, questioned the delay in the completion of the 1,506 Saglemi housing project.
The statement underscored the critical role the Saglemi Housing project could play in addressing Ghana’s severe housing deficit, which stands at over 1.8 million.
“With over 1.8 million housing deficit in Ghana. It is only proper and highly expedient that one should genuinely welcome any augmented effort from either a public or private enterprise in any meaningful attempt to ameliorate Ghana’s housing deficiency.
“Research has shown that any country indebted to a grave housing deficit directly impacts the family tree by raising their housing costs astronomically to unaffordable heights which in the final analysis has broad national implications thereby limiting labor mobility, productivity, and economic growth”.
Nana Otu Darko, Convener, Team Saglemi Not For Sale
The Convener of Team Saglemi Housing project, Nana Otu Darko did not hold back on criticizing the government’s apparent disregard for the Saglemi housing project.
He described the current state of the Saglemi units as deplorable and accused the current administration of allowing the project to wither away under harsh weather conditions.
Government’s Housing Paradox
The statement referred to a press release by the Ministry of Works and Housing, dated July 19, 2024, which underscored the significance of the newly commissioned police housing units.
The advocacy group indicated that the Ministry asserted that this project represents a substantial effort to improve living conditions for public service workers and tackle the housing shortage.
However, Nana Otu Darko, the Convener of Team Saglemi Not For Sale expressed bewilderment at what he termed a “housing paradox”, and questioned why the government would celebrate the commissioning of 320 housing units while neglecting the far larger Saglemi housing project.
“Therefore, if overcoming Ghana’s housing deficiency is so dear and paramount to the incumbent government, then it is still unthinkable and a grave shock to us as to why a whole thousand five hundred and six (1506) housing units will be left to die with careless abandon by the same leadership that prides itself in commissioning 320 units of houses. This to us remains a housing paradox”.
Nana Otu Darko, Convener, Team Saglemi Not For Sale
The group made a firm declaration that the Saglemi housing project is not for sale, warning that any attempts to sell the project to friends or cronies of the current administration would be met with strong resistance from the youth of Ghana.
“This is not a threat but a promise,” the statement emphasized.
The statement cautioned members of the ruling New Patriotic Party against nursing any ambition to purchase the Saglemi housing project, citing recent allegations of purchase of state lands and assets by some leading members of the current government.
“Like they wanted to sell off the SSNIT hotels and were met with fierce rejection, Saglemi won’t be an exception”, the statement stressed.
Call for Future Action
Looking ahead to the 2024 general elections, Team Saglemi Not For Sale urged the incoming government to hold accountable all individuals who have caused financial loss to the state through their involvement in the Saglemi housing deal.
The statement also called for the new administration to take immediate steps to complete and utilize the Saglemi housing units.
In conclusion, Team Saglemi Not For Sale reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public assets and ensuring that the Saglemi housing project serves its intended purpose of alleviating Ghana’s housing deficit.
The advocacy group also called on the current and future governments to prioritize the completion and proper management of the Saglemi project.
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