Ghana Real Estate Professionals Association (GREPA) Undergo Training

The National Association of REALTORS®, (NAR) is the largest professional and trade organization in the US representing 1.3 million members from 70 countries worldwide of which Ghana has a membership. NAR in support of its Ghanaian partner Ghana Real Estate Professionals Association, (GREPA) yesterday commenced a 3-day training programme for real estate sales associates, brokerages, consultants, developers, property managers, Valuers and other key players in the industry at the African Regent Hotel in Accra.

The training, funded by IHC Global, an IHC Global is an independent, non-profit global membership coalition of organizations, businesses and individuals engaged in urban development worldwide providing advocacy and awareness to policy and practice-focused research; and sharing of good practice.

The organization has in the past supported GREPA and the Ghana government to review the 2014 Real Estate draft bill and is interested in other future projects to support the Ghana Real Estate Industry.

Official opening of the event was by the Deputy Minister for Works and Housing, Ms Freda Prempeh, Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tano North Constituency.

In her address during the opening segment, Ms Freda Prempeh,, applauded GREPA for enhancing professionalism in the industry through specialized education.

She charged participants to educate themselves, agents and their clients on what the law says concerning property ownership and other relevant laws that govern the modus operandi in the industry.

She disclosed the housing deficit of GH¢1.7 million which translates into about 150,000 houses a year and added that the development to fill this gap is something government cannot shoulder alone and urged the developers to support government initiatives.

“Government is currently putting in place measures which will provide all real estate agencies with licenses to operate their businesses and regulate the services they provide to customers to receive some level of recognition and validation”, she said.

She tasked members of GREPA to give off their best in safe-guarding the interests of Ghanaians and making sure that appropriate standards are complied with for maximum benefits.

She mentioned that her ministry, together with government, was working on the Real Estate Agency Bill so that both regulators and buyers would have good understanding of issues.

One of the instructors, Mr Maurice Hampton, a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, (NAR)Managing Broker and CEO of Centered International Realty

Corporation in Chicago, in his presentation, touched on many key areas of concern in working with buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants.

Participants were tasked to cultivate a relationship with their clients in performing their duties as Real Estate Professionals, be the source of information, knowledge and guidance.

Participants were tasked to cultivate a relationship with their buyers, find the right property for them and provide them with service, information, knowledge and guidance.

The event was supported by Beaufort Properties, Willows Property Management, MTN, Appolonia City, The Exchange Project, Vivienda, Saka Homes, Alien Travel Service, Brightstone Capital and Abri Foundation

BY: Nii Adjei Mensahfio