Gov’t moves to invest more in Housing Sector

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing Ghana’s housing deficit by providing additional financial support to accelerate the construction of affordable housing units across the country.

This was announced by Finance Minister, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam during a joint working visit with Works and  Housing Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah to the National Home Ownership Fund (NHF) Phase 3 construction site on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

The NHF, which has already delivered 204 and 201 housing units in Phases 1 and 2 respectively, is making impressive progress on Phase 3, where 129 new units are currently under construction. According to NHF General Manager Philip Delali Zumanu, the project is on track for completion by November 2024. The visit by the two Ministers was a significant show of government support for the initiative and its role in addressing Ghana’s housing deficit, which is estimated at 1.8 million units.

Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, praised the progress made on the NHF project, noting that it exemplifies the government's focus on efficient, timely, and cost-effective housing delivery.

“When you give us money as colleague Ministers to work, we have to account for what we are doing with the taxpayers’ money. Today, you are here to see for yourself the progress being made since the release of about GH¢94 million to the NHF. A good chunk of that has gone into the work here,” he stated.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah expressed satisfaction with the NHF's ability to balance speed and quality in the construction process, citing Phase 3’s rapid advancement as a model for future projects. He emphasized the importance of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s vision for the housing sector, noting that the President has been clear about the need to invest heavily in affordable housing as a legacy project.

He lauded the collaboration between the Ministries of Works and Housing and Finance, stating that the continued partnership was crucial for scaling up efforts across the country.

Minister for Finance, Mohammed Amin Adam, was equally impressed with the progress made on the NHF project and underscored the government's resolve to make housing more accessible to Ghanaians. He praised the NHF for its professionalism and efficiency, noting that the work being done aligns with government’s broader economic strategy.

“This is a public institution, and you have demonstrated high levels of professionalism, quality, and efficiency. The kind of housing you are delivering to the people of Ghana is the standard we need to set for housing delivery in the country,” the Finance Minister said.

Dr. Adam revealed that before his mid-year budget review presentation, President Akufo-Addo had directed the government to focus on growth-impact sectors, with housing being a key area of priority. In line with this directive, the Ministry of Finance had already released GH¢94 million to the NHF to support ongoing construction, a decision that is now bearing fruit, as evidenced by the progress on Phase 3.

"To see five months of work that has resulted in this level of development is unbelievable. It shows that when we provide the resources, you put them to good use," Adam said. "When projects are delayed, they become more costly. Timely delivery, as we see here, is what ensures affordability for Ghanaians.”

In a major boost to the sector, Dr. Adam announced that the Ministry of Finance would release an additional GH¢200 million to the NHF to support not only the completion of Phase 3 but also the rollout of district housing projects across the country.

“This additional funding will help accelerate this work and is in line with the government's plan to develop a district housing scheme. The President is keen on leaving behind a legacy in the housing sector, and this will form a key part of that effort,” Dr. Adam added.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring that affordable housing becomes a reality for more Ghanaians. He also praised the construction workers for their dedication to the project, acknowledging their role in ensuring that the housing units are delivered on time and to a high standard.

“We are grateful to the workers here for the great job they are doing. Their efforts are not going unnoticed, and I want to assure you that the resources we are putting into this project will continue to be put to good use,” he concluded.