Work started on low-cost housing units

Accra, Aug. 4, GNA - The Ministry of Works and Housing has engaged consultants to undertake valuation exercise on existing low-cost housing units which government is planning to sell to their current tenants or occupants.

The exercise, announced by Vice President Aliu Mahama at the workers' parade to mark this year's May Day celebrations is meant to increase the number of owner occupied houses for low income Ghanaians. At the parade, the Vice President Mahama said the government had decided to increase the stock of low cost housing units and that as a first step, existing low cost houses would be offered for sale nation-wide so as to increase the number of owner-occupied houses for low income Ghanaians.

In an interview with the GNA on Tuesday Dr Thomas Fokuo Agyapong, Director, Policy Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Works and Housing, said the valuation exercise would look at the state of each housing unit, take measurements and value the units together with the land on which they are situated.

The Consultants' report would be ready in three months. He said the report would enable the Ministry to make recommendations to the Cabinet for the implementation of the policy. The policy would encourage home ownership, Dr Agyapong said, and explained that the houses would be sold at moderate prices to tenants or their occupants.

"Monies from the sale would be used to build more of such units in the regional and district capitals for workers," he said. He said the government had started the acquisition of land adding that process and documentation, planning and architectural designs were in progress.

Dr Agyapong said the Ministry would convince various departments to sell such houses to the occupants, adding: "The exercise would be fair and be in the interest of all public servants."