Three ministries propose affordable housing scheme

The ministries of Water Resources, Works and Housing; Local Government and Rural Development; and Education, are to set-up a joint affordable housing scheme to provide accommodation for their officials posted to rural communities.

The houses when completed, would also serve as centres for National Service Personnel posted to these areas.

Mr Sampson Ahi, a Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, who announced the proposal, said a technical team is to be set up to discuss details of the recommendations.

He was speaking to journalists on Tuesday at the end of a tour to the Red Sea Housing Services Ghana Limited (RSHSGL) at Tema.

Mr Ahi, who expressed confidence in the efficient and affordable quick-built-housing facility and capacity of management of RSHGL, added that the recommendations of the technical team would form a basis for the preparation of a cabinet memorandum to advice the Executive for action.

He said the government was committed to reducing the housing deficit that the country was saddled with, stressing that the political administration would pursue legal and affordable measures to reduce the deficit.

Mr Ahi said the president is bent on reducing the housing deficit and would not renege on his promise to do so and that the government would roll out other schemes to provide affordable housing for the citizenry.

He said the Government would complete the affordable housing projects started under the New Patriotic Party government.

Mr Mark .M. Sumner, Managing Director of RSHSGL, said management was excited to partner the government to provide affordable housing and that the company had contributed towards providing housing units for players in the mining industry, as well as few units for the Barclays Bank.

Mr Sumner described the provision of affordable units at the local housing sector as a major need in the country.

RSHSGL is said to be a leader in housing, offering quick and affordable short-term and long-term housing and accommodation solutions mainly to players in the oil and gas, mining, engineering and construction sectors.

They operate in Africa, Middle East, West Africa and South America.

In Ghana, they are under the free zone arrangement and offer both commercial and residential housing requirements, including offices, kitchen or dining units, recreation facility, laundry areas, labour quarters, drilling or rig camps, dormitories, guardhouses, hospital hotels, relief housing facilities and schools.