Ho Housing Project: Ho Municipal Assembly claims Lands Commission facilitated mutual understanding between HMA and GHS

The Ho Municipal Assembly has disclosed that the Regional Lands Commission in Ho played a key role in facilitating an understanding between the Assembly and the Ghana Health Service regarding the acquisition of land belonging to the Health Ministry for the Ho Housing Project.

This clarification follows a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by Lawyer Selikem Donkor, seeking details on the project and addressing allegations of improper land use.

According to the Assembly, there is no written Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ho Municipal Assembly and the Ministry of Health regarding the project. Furthermore, no contract was signed between the Assembly and any contractor.

The project was initiated by the Central Government through the Regional Coordinating Council, with funding provided by the Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF).

The Assembly also revealed that the project was not discussed on the floor of the General Assembly, meaning no minutes or resolutions were recorded concerning its approval.

While the contract for the construction of Affordable Housing Units remains active, the Ho Municipal Assembly and other districts are simply beneficiaries of the initiative. However, the Assembly was unable to issue a permit for the project at the time of its commencement due to missing required documentation.

The project has been at the center of controversy, with allegations that it has been repurposed as a private venture. Former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ho, Hon. Divine Richard Bosson, has been accused in connection with these claims.

A viral video circulated on social media on January 15, 2025, alleged that the Municipal Assembly had begun constructing housing units on land belonging to the School of Hygiene and the Nursing Training College. This prompted Lawyer Selikem Donkor to formally request clarification under Article 21(1)(f) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 18 of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).

In response, the Ho Municipal Assembly, through a letter signed by the Municipal Coordinating Director, Henry Yao Amesimeku, addressed the RTI request, providing details on the project while also raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

Despite the Assembly’s clarification, the situation continues to raise questions about the handling of government-led housing initiatives and the need for greater public engagement and oversight in such projects.