GREDA disappointed gov't has given 500 housing construction job to foreigners

The Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA) has expressed dismay at the decision by government to sign a contract with a South African construction firm Guma Group, for the construction of 500 housing units for the police and military personnel.

Vice President John Mahama on Friday, superintended over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Ghana and the Guma Group of South Africa to roll out housing units for the security agencies.

But President of the Ghana Real Estates Developer Association, Dr. Alex Tweneboah says government's decision to rather settle on a foreign group to put up 500 housing unit is disappointing.

“Look at Teshie-Nungua, who built Teshie-Nungua? Look at Tema Community 18, 19, who built that? Look at Awudome Estates, who built that? Is it not Ghanaians? Are you telling me that 500 houses, there is no Ghanaian company [that can construct them]”? Dr Tweneboah asked.

He insisted there were local real estate companies that were very capable undertaking the projects.

He said even if “our proposal was not satisfactory enough, one would have thought that at least they would have invited us to, perhaps, discuss where the proposal fell down so we could perhaps go back and amend it and present it to them.”

Meanwhile Minister for Works and Housing E.T. Mensah has reiterated Government's desire to provide affordable housing.

He told Joy News government has not shut its doors on local housing companies.

He said GREDA and other local companies would be given the opportunities as long as they meet the standard criteria.