Eric Adjei, Deputy Regional Youth Organizer, producer of Sammi Gyamfis TV show
Gladys Hunt defined home as, “a safe place,” a place where one is free from attack, a place where one experiences secure relationships and affirmation. It’s a place where people share and understand each other. Going by this definition it is, however, incumbent on any visionary government to try as much as possible to provide a good dwelling place for its citizens.
In attaining the full realization of growing Ghana’s housing sector and reducing housing deficit, John Dramani Mahama pumped many resources to provide a befitting dwelling place for Ghanaians during his term as the president. He achieved the following;
1). The construction of the first phase of 5000 Affordable Housing
Projects at Saglemi in the Ningo Prampram District of the Greater
Accra Region.
2). The construction of 5000 housing unit ONyame dua Estates of which 240 houses constituting the first phase and comprising of 2 and 3 bedroom house types were nearer to completion.
3). The construction of the Security Services Housing Scheme Phases 1 and 2. This saw the completion of 168 housing units with related infrastructure in Tema. It is made up of 136 two-bedroom and 32 three-bedroom flats. Work was also progressing steadily on the construction of 368 housing units under the second phase of this project at an estimated cost of GH¢ 101.2 million.
4). The construction of the Keta Sea Defence Resettlement Housing Scheme. Under this project 618 out of 836 housing units representing 74% had been completed at Adzido, Kedzi,e and Vodza to house persons affected by the Keta Sea Defence Project.
The rest were Adenta Regeneration Project (SHC Gardin), New Labadi Villas Housing Project, Tema Development
Corporation (TDC)
Housing Projects and many more.
President Akuffo Addo recently Commissioned the Asokore Mampong affordable housing project without given credit to H.E John Dramani Mahama whose effort made the project possible. For the records, John Mahama stated in his inaugural speech of the Bukom Boxing Arena that “When I appointed Ernest Thompson, the Director-General of SSNIT, I charged him with 3 key projects of which one is now completed with the remaining two on course. The two were the Asokore Mampong and the Borteyman affordable housing project and the reconstruction of the Salaga market in Accra Central”.
The Asokore Mampong project was 80% complete when this government took over and only added 20% for a period of four years. This leaves no doubt that the Asokore Mampong Housing project is one of the numerous legacies of the visionary John Dramani Mahama.
H.E John Dramani Mahama has promised to further reduce the housing deficit which the Akuffo Addo government has woefully failed to do. He has promised to make life comfortable by providing more affordable infrastructures in the housing sector that will inure to the benefits of the entire Ghanaian populace. He has promised to execute the following in his second term;
1). Roll out over a 4-year period an aggressive social housing plan to deliver a minimum of 20,000 low-income houses in the 260 Metropolis, Municipalities, and Districts.
2). Implement a National Mortgage Assistance Scheme and rent-to-pay agreements over 15 to 20 years for public servants and workers in private employment.
3). The social housing projects will be constructed in all districts of the country. MMDA’s will work with traditional authorities to acquire lands for the project.
4). Materials to be used for this project will be procured locally. The projects will be awarded to Registered local companies doing business in the districts where the project is located. Workers will be drawn from the locality and provide training for them.
5). Establish a low-interest Rent Advance Scheme in partnership with financial institutions and banks, for both formal and informal sector workers with regular incomes.
These among others are what John Dramani Mahama seeks to deliver to the good people of Ghana who for some reason cannot afford expensive estate houses. For the first time our local communities are to benefit from John Mahama’s affordable Social Housing Scheme, let us throw our weight behind him by voting number 2 on the ballot paper to achieve the full realization of this vision.
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