Chiefs asked to offer lands for Habitat projects

Mowire (Ash), Oct.4, GNA - Madam Dorothy Prah, Programme Manager of Habitat for Humanity, Ghana has called on traditional authorities to make land available to their citizens for Habitat programme in their communities.

She also stressed the need for them to fully support them with the documentation of the plots without much difficulty. Madam Prah was speaking at the inauguration of Mowire Affiliate and dedication of 25 new houses built under the Habitat for Humanity Ghana project at Mowire in the Kwabre district on Monday. She said the organisation, since its inception in the country in 1987 has constructed a total of 4,450 houses at the end of June this year nationwide.

She said Ashanti Region alone with 19 Affiliates has received 885 houses at the end of fiscal year 2005. The Programme Manager said through volunteer labour and donations of money and materials, Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates simple and decent houses with the support of the Homeowner. "Habitat for Humanity houses are sold to partner families at no profit and no interest and that Homeowners' monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund for the organization to build more houses", she said.

Madam Prah congratulated the chiefs and the people of the community for their hard work and assured them that, the Organisation would continue to support them to build more houses for families in need.

Alhaji Ahmed Akwasi Yeboah, Disgtrict Chief Executive for Kwabre said what Habitat for Humanity was doing in the country would go a long way to ease accommodation problems facing workers. He indicated that the District Assembly was liaising with the Ministry of Works and Housing to construct Estate Houses in the district, stressing that the chiefs of Wawase, Oyoko-Bremang and Adwumakaase-Kese have provided lands for the commencement of the project.

The DCE pledged the Assembly's support towards the provision of good drinking water and electricity to the site. Nana Boadu Ayeboafo, Krontihene of Mowire urged the residents to be law-abiding and observe environmental and personal hygiene to avoid out-break of any epidemic in the community.

He told them that Wednesdays are regarded as sacred days in the area and that they should be observed by all residents. Mr John Manu, Chairman of the Mowire Affiliate called on people who have received houses to endeavour to pay their rents for others to also benefit from the Programme.