In an exclusive interview on “Sunday Night,” Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Ghana’s Minister of Works and Housing, articulated his strategic approach to addressing the country’s pressing housing issues.
Nkrumah began by acknowledging the dual simplicity and complexity of Ghana’s housing needs, stating, “There are 32 million Ghanaians who need houses. Public works need to be done.
So, on that front, it’s straightforward.” However, he emphasized the complexity of prioritizing resources to tackle these multifaceted challenges.
Central to Nkrumah’s strategy is a systematic approach that starts with gathering baseline data, identifying critical issues, and leveraging available resources. A key pillar of his plan involves partnering with the private sector to address housing needs, mainly targeting the lower segments of the market.
“About 99% of our units are delivered by the private sector, catering mainly to the top 5% of the market. We need to incentivize them to build affordable and social housing for the remaining 65% and 35%,” Nkrumah noted, citing lessons from his research trips to countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Kenya, and consultations with Moroccan housing experts.
The Minister revealed that extensive stakeholder engagement had informed a reform package to facilitate private sector involvement in housing.
This initiative was bolstered by recent reforms announced by the Finance Minister, which aimed to ease constraints on private developers.
Addressing stalled projects like the Saglemi housing scheme, Nkrumah outlined steps to attract private capital and resume construction.
“We initiated a request for proposals for Saglemi and received bids from ten companies. By September, we anticipate selecting a contractor to resume work,” he explained.
Nkrumah stressed the shift towards Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) as pivotal, emphasizing the government’s role in creating an enabling environment rather than solely undertaking construction projects. This emphasis reassures the public of the government’s commitment to addressing the housing issue.
He highlighted efforts to reform the land tenure system and identified over 50,000 acres of land for partnerships with real estate developers.
Furthermore, the Minister underscored reforms to enhance the National Homeownership Fund (NHF) to attract pension funds and financial institutions to support mortgage financing, thereby improving housing accessibility and affordability.
Beyond infrastructure, Nkrumah sees housing as a catalyst for economic growth and societal well-being.
His vision for housing in Ghana, as more than just erecting buildings, but as a creator of jobs, income, and dignity, inspires and motivates all who hear it.
Nkrumah’s comprehensive approach signals a determined effort to transform Ghana’s housing landscape, aiming not only to provide shelter but also to stimulate economic development and improve the quality of life nationwide.
This determination instils hope and optimism for a brighter future in the hearts of Ghanaians.
