The Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing have come in agreement with a major university in Ghana for a five-year housing project in the country. The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) will work closely with the ministry to construct several housing unit in the country.
The University’s College of Art and Built Environment will supervise the construction of 10, 000 housing units across the country over the agreed period of time. However, an agreement has been reached with a social investor to fund the project over the next 40 years to come if the initiative is successfully executed proves successful.
A nationwide housing data collection and awareness creation will bear the initiative flag with the theme ‘Homes for All’. Ghana Institute of Housing in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government have vowed to support the housing project initiative.
Ghana’s current housing deficit is estimated to be at 1.7 million. The situation is described to be very acute in most cities in the country. Housing is considered a tool for sustainable communities. However, most communities in Ghana are characterized by the rising population experiencing severe shortage of decent or affordable housing.
The government is currently working on a special scheme to implement and avail affordable housing for the middle, low and even no income groups. In fact, an agreement has already been concluded with a social investor to fund the project over a period of 40-years.
According to Professor Nana Edward Badu, KNUST College of Art and Build Environment, successful execution of the project will ensure equal and fair access to housing, especially, for the deprived members of society.
“Whilst the government is attempting to provide affordable housing, the attempt are stifle by lack of funds and in-depth analysis of what and how to exactly go about it,” said Prof Badu. “on the otherhand, the private sector interprets affordability as providing for those who can only afford it. He stated.
Within a period of 2 to 5 years the project is expected to deliver 10,000 homes across the ten regions of Ghana. Besides, Prof. Badu is optimistic that the next batch of homes will be strictly research-based and tailored-made center of excellence in housing studies at the College of Art and Build Environment. The research is intended to lead the charge in providing the needed data for the relevant exercise.
Dr. Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, is positive on the upbeat about the prospects of the initiative as it will help bridge the demand and supply gap for housing through the provision of accurate and reliable data.
Dr. Mensah stressed that, the nation needs to come to the realization of the need to take concrete actions against one of the greatest challenges the country is experiencing and confronts the challenge through providing sustainable and affordable housing to the vulnerable in the country.
“We have depended mostly on data provided by the Ghana Statistical Service which we are aware, as part of the Housing and Population census is conducted at ten-year intervals,” said Dr. Mensah. “It is therefore, refreshing that you have taken this bold initiative to undertake this exercise which will be of tremendous value to the housing industry,” he added.