The Public Procurement Authority (PPA) has granted approval for the procurement of a transaction advisor to lead the process of identifying an appropriate private sector entity with the necessary technical and financial capability to assist with the sale of the Saglemi Housing project.
In accordance with a directive from the Cabinet to the Minister of Works and Housing, the possibility of disposing of the Saglemi Housing project will be investigated.
It is to be sold at market value to a private entity that will complete and sell the housing units to the general public at no additional cost to the government.
The Ministry of Works and Housing has already established a technical working group comprised of representatives from various state and independent professional institutions to supervise and attend all engagements necessary for the completion of the housing project.
The 5000-unit Saglemi Housing project in Prampram is a public housing project for which the Ghana Home Loans Company was to provide mortgage arrangements for the sale of housing units to employees.
However, due to a modification to the undertaking, only about 1506 units have been completed.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stated today [1 August 2023] at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of 8,000 units on 203 acres of land in Pokuase under the Revised National Affordable Housing Programme that the purpose of the technical working group on the Saglemi project was to ensure transparency in carrying out Cabinet's directives while ensuring value for money towards the completion of the project.
President Akufo-Addo affirmed that the lessons learned from the Saglemi Housing initiative were instrumental in shaping the strategy and implementation of the new housing Initiative.
Encumbrances
President Akufo-Addo explained the current status of the Saglemi Project by stating that the government was cognizant of the delays and setbacks encountered during the Saglemi project's execution.
He added that the issues regarding the scope of work and the money spent on the project had been referred to the Ghana Police Service's criminal investigations division for investigation, which had resulted in criminal judicial proceedings.
He noted, however, that the Ministry of Works and Housing has actively engaged Cabinet, the Minister of Finance, and the Office of the Attorney General to prevent the project from deteriorating.
In addition to the $198 million already spent on the project, the government must raise an additional $56 million to complete the offsite infrastructure works, which include water, electricity, and storm drains to prevent flooding, according to President Akufo-Addo.
He added that an additional $68 million was needed to complete the buildings and other essential on-site infrastructure such as the refuse holding bay, sewage treatment plant, and the development of socio-economic and civic infrastructure such as a primary school, a clinic, and shops.
