Expo to boost housing industry

GHANA’s first major international exhibition for the construction industry, dubbed Build West Africa, which will be held from October 5 to 8 at the Accra International Conference Centre, is designed to promote the objectives of World Habitat Day 2000, which falls on October 2.

The four-day international exhibition is sponsored by the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements (UNCHS), and co-hosted by the Ghana Real Estate Development Association (GREDA). The fair has been endorsed by the Ministry of Works and Housing with support from the Ghana Institute of Architects and Ghana Institution of Engineers.

According to Mr Kwami Ahiabenu, a Director of Expo Promotions, organisers of the exhibition, the fair has been timed to coincide with the World Habitat Day 2000 “to draw attention to the vital needs to provide adequate shelter for every inhabitant on this earth”.

The objective of the exhibition will, therefore, assemble a panel of international and local experts in housing to deliberate and come up with concrete proposals for the housing needs of peoples of the world.

Build West Africa, therefore, represents a good forum where government, the planners and architects, aid agencies and developers can begin the process of housing the vulnerable in the society.

According to Mr Ahiabenu, Build West Africa, has attracted exhibitors from other parts of the world as well as local companies which will be exhibiting a wide range of new products and technologies from other countries.

They include South Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. A national group of 10 exhibitors from Nigeria is also expected.

To give a practical demonstration of how to build affordable houses, Dri-Block International will construct a demonstration house outside the conference centre to give visitors an idea of what can be provided on a massive scale for less than $5,000 per unit.

It is also anticipated that in atttendance will be 150 delegates, many of whom will be architects and construction professionals.