Deputy Minister for Works and Housing, Hon Freda Prempeh has challenged private Real Estate developers to put up more affordable housing units for people in finding solutions to the country’s housing deficit which stands at 1.7 million.
According to her, government is providing concrete solutions to the housing deficit but, it also behooves on the private sector to partner government in that drive.
She was speaking at the grand opening of Summerhills Estates at East Legon Hills in Accra.
Freda Prempeh said urban growth is contributing largely to the deficit in the country’s housing units and that the statistics of swam dwellers will reach 7 million by 2025 if definite measures are not taken to solve urban poverty.
She averred that the housing industry is capital intensive and government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of proving housing to all, adding that “that is where the private sector is needed. So what government is seeking to do is to create an enabling environment for the private sector to grow and be able to partner government in such enterprises.”
She pointed out that government will ensure that all estates, both existing and newly built ones, are energy efficient and that in the future all housing units will need an energy certificate.
She challenged developers to find new ways of building so as to bring the cost of building down which will make the prices of these estates more affordable to the ordinary Ghanaian.
She commended the CEO of Summerhills Estate for helping government to bridge the gap in the country’s housing units.
She touted the stable micro economy, and the vibrant market the people of Ghana are enjoying but the housing deficit does not look good for the country.
The Deputy Minister averred that the country currently has the annual supply rate of 35% of the total housing demand and there is the need to provide adequate affordable houses to majority of people, especially those in the low income bracket.
Freda Prempeh said: “Where we live affect the health of our children, affect our health, affects education and affects our entire development. Government is appealing to the private sector to participate actively in partnering government to provide concrete solutions to the country’s housing deficit.”
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Summerhills Estates, Dr. George Obeng said Summerhills is a place where one can call home and a home is a place where one can find comfort, peace of mind, “a place where there is absolute security, comfort and peace.”
He said the company decided to eliminate the burden of huge rent advances on tenants by introducing Summerhills Estates which comes with fully air conditioned rooms, free utilities (water and electricity), no DSTV Bills.
He said: “Once you pay, you don’t pay water bills, no light bills, no DSTV bills and every facility you use is free.”
According to him, there is room for individuals and families to rent at Summerhills Estates on pay on daily and monthly basis, which he indicated is a window of opportunity that landlords in the country are not giving to their clients/tenants.
Summerhills Estates is a subsidiary of Nananom Group of Companies in Canada which is established in 2006.
In 2013, the idea to build Summerhills Estates came in when the CEO, Dr. George Obeng visited Ghana and was confronted with the challenge of paying 2 years Advance for a building he wanted to rent for his grandmother.
The dream finally came alive and he commended all staff of the company who worked tirelessly to see the establishment of Summerhills Estates.
By PROSPER AGBENYEGA