The Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has said the government is committed to bridge Ghana’s housing deficit, which currently stands at some two million units.
Asenso-Boakye made the promise at a sod-cutting ceremony for the commencement of 8,000 housing units at Pokuase under the government’s affordable housing units dubbed: “My Home My Peace.”
The project, which is on 203 acres of land will come with 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.
Speaking at an official ceremony for the commencement of the project in Pokuase on Tuesday (1 August), Asenso-Boakye commended the Asantehene for allocating land for the second phase of the project in Kumasi.
“Today, I stand before you with a deep sense of responsibility to ensure that the vision of His Excellency the President, to provide mass affordable housing to our people becomes a reality.
“As we break grounds for this historic project, I am also reminded by his words to me prior to my appointment that I ensure we provide mass affordable housing for the people of Ghana. I am, therefore, humble to be here today, to begin the work of fulfilling that charge, with the construction of 8,000 housing units, here at Pokuase,” he said.
“I also want to express my appreciation to the chiefs and people of Afiaman and Pokuase traditional area for their immense collaboration and support, since the inception of this project. We will continue to count on your support in making this project a success. Furthermore, I must also express my deepest gratitude to the Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II for his kindness in allocating another 200-acre land in Dedesua, Kumasi for the implementation of the second project under the revised National Affordable Housing Programme,” he said.
Revised national affordable housing programme
The government of Ghana through the Ministry of Works and Housing initiated a revised National Affordable Housing Programme dubbed: ‘My Home My Peace’, which adopts a programmatic approach to tackle the affordability gap and improve access to housing for Ghanaians.
In this revised version, Government will subsidize the housing units with land and infrastructure, which is to absorb a critical component of the construction cost. The private sector will complement these efforts by raising funds to build the apartments on a cost-recovery basis.
The initial project under this revised programme entails the construction of 8,000 housing units on a 203-acre land in Pokuase/Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region, and 6,000 housing units on a 200-acre land in Dedesua in the Ashanti Region.
Thorough feasibility studies, including assessments of environmental, social, property, and traffic impacts, as well as housing stress and financial analysis, have been conducted.
Drawing from past experience, this revised strategy acknowledges the financial constraints faced by many citizens and strives to make housing more accessible for all, ensuring the success of the programme.
Reporting by Fred Dzakpata in Accra
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