Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, the Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources, concluded a high-level site visit last Tuesday, pledging to utilize the government’s “resetting agenda” to complete the project.

The ambitious housing scheme, situated at Effiduase along the Koforidua-Akwadum Road, was initially conceived in 2006 under the Kufuor Administration. Intended to provide affordable units for low and middle-income workers, the project has languished, resulting in a 19-year delay that has seen significant deterioration of the structures.

Commitment Based on Public Funds

The Minister, accompanied by his deputy, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, Eastern Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, and officials from the State Housing Company (SHC), stressed that the decision to resume work transcends political boundaries.

Mr. Adjei gave a firm assurance that the project, comprising 19 blocks containing a total of 342 housing units, will be completed. He justified the restart based on the source of the initial investment:

“That, he explained, was because it was being funded by taxpayers’ money.”

He framed the completion as a non-partisan commitment:

“The Minister said in line with the government’s resetting agenda, abandoned projects initiated by previous administrations, particularly the NPP, would be continued.” “That, he indicated, was because the government was thinking of all Ghanaians, not about any political party.”

The assessment conducted during the visit, he added, would be crucial:

“Mr. Adjei stated that the assessment of the project would enable the government to know what to do next to complete it.”

The original design of the project is massive, targeting hundreds of families:

Total Units: 342
Unit Breakdown: The complex includes 54 one-bedroom apartments and 288 two-bedroom flats.
Structural Composition: The units are distributed across 19 large blocks.
Currently, only a small fraction of the development is operational or near completion. The Managing Director of the State Housing Company, John Bawa, confirmed that just 24 of the units are currently at various stages of completion, representing a completion rate of roughly 7% after 19 years.

Mr. Bawa highlighted the strategic decision to adapt the unit specifications since the SHC took over from the ministry, noting that they decided “to add on different varieties to cater for single families and beyond.” He also observed a design advantage over similar projects in the national capital:

“He indicated that the rooms were bigger than similar ones in Accra because Koforidua had bigger spaces compared with those of the national capital.”

Despite these efforts, Mr. Bawa confirmed the overriding issue preventing immediate full-scale revival: funding.

“Our problem now is how to get money to complete the project.” “In recent years, attempts have been made to restart construction, with some facing delays while others have seen new development designs.”

He reiterated the SHC’s readiness to contribute, stating the company “was complementing government efforts.”

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for New Juaben North, Samuel Adongo, later expressed profound gratitude to the government for the commitment, noting that the completed units “would provide decent accommodation for the people in the area.”

Securing the necessary millions in funding remains the final hurdle before the 342 units can be handed over to expectant families.

The scheme was established to cover the rent advance for workers.

A sum of GH¢13,785,597 has been disbursed to beneficiaries across Greater Accra, Eastern, Western, Ashanti, Northern, and Bono East regions.

The NRAS was launched in January 2023 in response to the high demand for affordable rental housing. The scheme targets both formal and informal individuals with regular incomes, aiming to alleviate the burden of large rent advance payments for homeowners. Beneficiaries, in turn, make monthly rent payments to the scheme.

While there is no specific legal framework for the NRAS, it is being implemented as a government policy.

The Ministry of Works and Housing expended a total of GH¢900,000 on pre-implementation activities and the official launch of the scheme.

Regarding the ongoing legal proceedings related to the Saglemi Housing Project, Mr Asenso-Boakye indicated that he had sought legal advice to refrain from commenting on the matter until a determination is made by the court.

“Mr Speaker I kindly request a deferral in addressing the question at hand as this may prejudge the outcome of the proceedings.

“I assure the House that when the court reaches a verdict on the case, I will be very happy to come back and provide a response,” he said.

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Chairman of the inter-ministerial committee and Housing Minister, Francis Asenso-Boakye, said the project, when completed, will help improve flood risk and solid waste management.

He said it will also improve access to basic infrastructure and services in the targeted flood-prone communities in the Greater Accra Region.

“The project also seeks to improve access to basic infrastructure and services in targeted flood-prone communities and foster adaptation of the flood management infrastructure to climate change in the region,” he added.

He was speaking at the 3rd Steering Committee meeting of the GARID project held in Accra.

GARID is a collaborative effort of four implementing ministries, that is, the Ministry of Works and Housing; Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources; Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development.

“The Government believes that no Ghanaian deserves to die or lose his/her property just because God has decided to bless us with rains.

“Every single life is important, and that is why we are making the right investments to find more lasting solutions to sanitation and flooding challenges in Accra,” said Mr Asenso-Boakye.

The Minister also underscored the importance of stakeholder support, especially from the public.

“I am certain that the holistic approach being adopted by the GARID project in tackling the twin challenges of flooding and solid waste management will help improve sanitation and flooding situations in Accra.

“I, therefore, appeal to all stakeholders, especially residents of Accra and affected areas to support this initiative”, he asserted.

The meeting was also attended by the Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah; Ministry for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Dan Botwe as well as officials from the project implementing office ministries.