Ho West MP endorses Mahama's housing policy for workers

Mr. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, the Member of Parliament for Ho West Constituency in the Volta Region and a Chartered Quantity Surveyor by profession has expressed strong support for Mr. John Dramani Mahama's recently announced housing policy aimed at benefiting Ghanaian workers.

The endorsement follows Mr. Mahama's policy proposal presented to the executives of the National Tenants Association on June 28, 2024, in Accra.

Mr. Bedzrah, who is also a Fellow of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors and a Development Consultant, highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to address Ghana's housing deficit.

He emphasized that the proposed policy by the NDC flagbearer is a bold and actionable program essential for meeting the housing needs of the working class.

"Currently, high taxes, excessive tariffs, and a lack of government investment have driven up the costs of building materials and logistics in Ghana. This has resulted in an uncontrolled pricing regime, making it nearly impossible for the average worker to afford a decent home," he argues in a post on Facebook.

He explained that Mr. Mahama's new policy aims to utilize local materials and cost-effective building technologies available in Ghana. This approach, he noted, has been successfully implemented in countries like South Africa and the Republic of Benin, providing affordable housing for the working class.

"The Low-Cost Building model not only promises affordable homes but also aims to create jobs for the youth, who often migrate to cities in search of employment," he added.

Drawing on his experience as the Ranking Member of the Works and Housing Committee in the 7th Parliament, Mr. Bedzrah noted the decline of the housing sub-sector over the past eight years. He criticized the government's "Rental Assistance Scheme Policy," claiming it was a facade that benefited a select few rather than the intended teachers, nurses, security personnel, and market women.

Mr. Bedzrah firmly believes that Mr. Mahama’s housing policy is the most effective solution to the current challenges in the housing sector.

He called on all stakeholders to support the policy, asserting that it is the best approach to realizing the dreams of homeowners and developers amid the current economic difficulties.