‘Ghana needs collaboration to resolve housing deficits’

Ghana needs an effective public-private partnership to resolve its national housing deficit, Dr Mark Nii Akwei Ankrah, the Former, Managing Director, State Housing Corporation, has said.

Speaking during the launch of the ASN Financial Services’ Home Investment Fund (HIF), Dr Ankrah said collaboration between government and the private sector would help bring solutions to the housing challenges.

The Home Investment Fund (HIF) is to help facilitate easy public home acquisition as well as promote the individual’s effort towards saving for affordable home ownership and mortgage repayment.

He commended the management of ASN Financial Services Limited for their foresight to provide solution to the housing deficit.

Ghana’s Housing deficit currently stands at 1.7 million units.

Mr Prince Sarpong, the Group C.E.O, ASN Holdings, said governments over the years have tried to provide measures to solve the country’s housing challenges.

He said it is the resolve of ASN constructions, a subsidy of ASN Holdings, to construct one million houses within a 10 year period.

He said already, his outfit has constructed a number of housing units ready for the public.

“GRA has signed a partnership with ASN Construction for about 7,000 houses for its staff, and that the Ghana Cocoa Board has also requested for about 2,000 houses,” he said.

Mr Johannes Akuffo Okutu, the Managing Director, ASN Financial Services Limited, said the Fund offered potential homeowners the opportunity and privilege to make monthly contributions over a period of one to five years towards the attainment of 20 per cent of the cost of the building.

He said ASN Financial Services would complete the payment within an affordable mortgage facility.

He said in the first of the acquisition, the company would provide free life insurance and mortgage protection.

“HIF home acquisition attracts no hidden charges in the form of facility fees, search fee and closing fee,” he added.