Speaker meets with Moroccan Housing and Tourism Ministers in Rabat

Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye has held talks with the Ministers of Housing and Tourism in Morocco as part of his visit to Morocco.

According to the Speaker the move is to foster cooperation between the two countries especially as Ghana is bedeviled with huge housing deficit.

Professor Oquaye explained that Ghana is currently facing difficulties with its Housing industry and has resulted in the creation of slums in most Major cities in Ghana.

He disclosed that Ghana will take a cue from Morocco's experience as it puts in measures to solve its Housing challenges and provide decent affordable houses for its citizens.

"One of the main problems that plague most people in big cities in Ghana is that of accommodation. The lack of accommodation affect the wellbeing of many Ghanaians especially those living in slums. It is therefore imperative that political leaders find ways of solving this problem by providing affordable housing to those in the lower income bracket in order to ensure a decent standard of living for the citizenry." he noted.

The Speaker of Parliament expressed these thoughts when he held bilateral talks with the Moroccan minister for Housing and Urbanization, Mohamed Nabil Benabdallah in Rabat.

Majority leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu bemoaned the country's housing deficit of 1.6 million as against a population of 27 million and said issues with shelter, food and education are the determining factors for the selection of governments in the current political dispensation.

He emphasized the need for governments to take these into consideration in policy formulations to better the lots of their citizens.

Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu in agreement with the majority leader, said these are issues that do not have political colors.

He therefore pledged the support of the minority in parliament in helping to find lasting solutions to the plight of those living in slums.

He also emphasized the need for public sector housing facilitation to cater for the housing needs of the about 650,000 public sector workers in need of accommodation.

The Moroccan Minister Mohamed Nabil Benabdallah urged Ghanaian real estate owners to work closely with Morocco in order to tap into their expertise.

He also called for closer collaboration between the policy makers and experts in the field for easy implementation of an effective housing plan for Ghana.

The Speaker also held bilateral talks with Moroccan Tourism Minister, Mohamed Saiid to discuss issues relating to improving Ghana's Tourism potential.

Mohamed Saiid advised that for Ghana to improve its tourism, it is imperative that it pays attention to the new trends in tourist demands by providing more seaside resorts and other thrill providing facilities rather than the traditional tourist facilities like sight seeing.

The speaker and his team are due back in Accra on Friday the 26th of May.