Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will today launch a game-changing $5.3 billion housing project at Amasaman, Accra.
The unrivalled project which will see some 100,000 affordable houses put up for Ghanaian workers is in fulfillment of a promise made by President Akufo-Addo to ensure that shelters are provided under clement terms for the citizens of this country.
The Vice President is expected to talk about the gradual fulfillment of the promises government made to the people of Ghana, one of them being the project he is launching on behalf of President Akufo-Addo.
The grand programme which is expected to commence at 10am would offer employment to thousands of Ghanaians for the next five years.
Categorised into three brackets, the housing units would cost a minimum of $27,500 to be acquired through a mortgage system for Ghanaian workers.
It is the most ambitious housing project yet in post-independence Ghana modelled to address the housing deficit confronting the country.
Guest List
To grace the programme are the Chief Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Grete Faremo, under whose auspices the project is being undertaken in the country.
UNOPS is a UN General Assembly initiative established to identify and address the capacity deficits of countries, one being shelter.
In Ghana after identifying the shortfalls in housing, the module about to be launched today, was adopted.
Joining him is Dr. Allen Zimber, who would deliver an address about the Sustainability Housing Solutions (SHS), the implementation wing of UNOPS.
Also gracing the function would be the Chief Operations Director, Vitaly Vanshelboim, the Regional Director for Africa and the Chief Communications Director.
The Deputy Minister of Works & Housing, Barbara Ayisi Asher, would deliver the welcome address, with popular Kwame Sefa-Kayi moderating the function as the MC.
Key Features
Today’s project is unlike no other because it is a unique feature of sustainability.
Over the years, attempts have been made at addressing the shelter needs of Ghanaians, all of which have encountered unintended challenges of sustainability.
The project is hinged upon sustainability as couched in Sustainable Housing Solutions (SHS), which joins UNOPS for the coinage UNOPS/SHS.
Advantages
The project will, at the end of the day, augment the infrastructure of the country through the construction of roads and other amenities leading to the new houses to be put up.
There is, of course, going to be a massive transfer of technology to local engineers and artisans who would be involved in the project.
Positive Highlights
A truly affordable housing project has been described as one which is well-serviced, well located, safe and secure, among other features.
The managers of the project have taken these into consideration as they embark upon the journey of addressing the housing needs of Ghanaians through the construction of some 100,000 houses for Ghanaian workers.
Background
During a town hall meeting with the Economic Management Team (EMT) in March, which he chairs, the Vice President had elaborated about the special features of the project, describing it as a ‘game-changer.’
Similar Template
Some African, Asian and Caribbean countries are beneficiaries of a similar project worth some $15 billion.
Currently in Africa, Ghana and Kenya are beneficiaries of the UNOPS/SHS largesse.
With a housing deficit of over two million and counting, the project is, indeed, a game-changer as the Vice President said earlier.
Main Agreement
Ghana’s deal was signed in September 2018 in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly which was witnessed by President Akufo-Addo.
Related Benefits
Exploits in renewable energy investment are the consequences of the project in the long run, DAILY GUIDE has learnt.
President Akufo-Addo said after signing the deal in New York, “I believe we are all well aware of the challenges Ghana, and most of Africa, face when it comes to the provision of decent, well-planned and organised housing for our citizens. The difficulty in addressing this ongoing challenge has led to a huge housing deficit in our country.
“I believe that with the signing of this project agreement, we shall be ushering into existence a new dawn for Ghana and our citizens.”
By A.R. Gomda