Jul 4, 2024
Ghana has taken a significant step towards addressing its perennial housing and flooding challenges with the opening of the Built Environment National Conference on Housing and Hydrology (BENCHH) 2024.
The three-day event, currently underway at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, was formally opened by the Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who also launched the Ghana Hydrological Fund, a crucial initiative aimed at mitigating flood risks and improving water management across the nation.
Addressing a diverse assembly of government officials, industry experts and development partners, Minister Oppong Nkrumah emphasized the critical need for sustainable funding to tackle Ghana’s flooding problems, effectively announcing a GHS 1.5 million in seed funding.
“Government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing, has prioritized an allocation of GHC1.5 million as seed money for the fund,” he announced, calling upon all stakeholders, including development partners to contribute towards the success of the fund, highlighting its role in expediting essential projects such as drainage construction and dredging.
The Minister underscored the severity of Ghana’s flooding problem, particularly during the rainy season, exacerbated by inadequate drainage infrastructure and the escalating impact of climate change.
He revealed that only 2% of drainage channels in the Greater Accra Region, requiring concrete lining, have been addressed, reflecting the urgent need for comprehensive action.
This, he said, the fund aims to provide a structured financial mechanism to expedite necessary projects like drainage construction and dredging help address the country’s flooding problems head-on.
Beyond flooding, Minister Oppong Nkrumah addressed Ghana’s housing deficit, currently standing at 1.8 million units. He acknowledged challenges in affordable housing programs due to funding limitations and project delays, exacerbated by unfinished projects from previous administrations.
The Minister advocated for robust public-private partnerships, offering incentives to private developers to undertake large-scale affordable housing projects.
During the three-day BENCHH 2024 conference, discussions will include regulatory reforms and the establishment of a Works Inspectorate Unit to ensure adherence to building and safety standards.
The Ministry aims to present comprehensive reports on government initiatives, achievements, and challenges, seeking input from stakeholders on innovative approaches.
Minister Oppong Nkrumah expressed confidence in the outcomes of BENCHH 2024, highlighting the potential of collaborative efforts to drive tangible progress in Ghana’s built environment sector.
He urged participants to actively engage in discussions and contribute their expertise towards crafting actionable strategies that address the nation’s housing and hydrology challenges comprehensively.
Source: The Chronicle
Feb 24, 2024
A formal handing over ceremony has been held at the Ministry of Works and Housing between the outgoing and incoming ministers.
The ceremony took place on Tuesday February 20, at the Ministry of Works and Housing. The outgoing minister, Francis Asenso-Boakye gracefully passed the baton to the newly appointed Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.
Expressing gratitude to the dedicated staff and Management of the Ministry for their unwavering support during his tenure, Asenso-Boakye urged them to extend the same cooperation to the incoming Minister.
Mr Asenso-Boakye recounted how the Ministry, which primarily deals with public infrastructure, suffered from underfunding because of the adverse impact of Covid-19, on the country’s finances, but that notwithstanding, he added that the Ministry chalked some modest achievements during his time.
He mentioned the establishment of the National Rental Assistance Scheme (NRAS), aimed at assisting low-to-middle income earners with rent advance payments, thus enhancing housing accessibility. He added that the NRAS has benefitted 1,492 individuals as of January 31, 2024.
Furthermore, Asenso-Boakye’s tenure saw the transformation of the Hydrological Services Department into the autonomous Ghana Hydrological Authority through the passage of the Ghana Hydrological Authority Act, 2022 (Act 1085). This move has significantly bolstered water management practices across the nation.
Additionally, the establishment of the Real Estate Agency Council (REAC) under Asenso-Boakye’s tenure is to regulate real estate transactions and also promote transparency and adherence to standards in the real estate market.
Efforts to review and amend the Rent Act, 1963, and the Rent Control Law, 1986, are underway, with a draft Bill currently before Parliament, aimed at removing the inherent constraints and stimulating private investment into the sector. He added the rent control has been working on the digitization of the Rent Control Department to better serve the public; and their digitized operations will commence next month.
Mr Asenso-Boakye also initiated steps towards the establishment of the Ghana Housing Authority (GHA) to regulate, plan and manage public housing including affordable housing particularly for low-to-middle income earners. This has received cabinet approval and it’s on its way to Parliament for consideration and approval. The Ministry was also successful in the passage of new building regulations with the view to ensuring a resilient built environment.
Noteworthy among his initiatives is the revised National Affordable Housing Programme, which seeks to subsidize housing for Ghanaians through the provision of land and infrastructure and invites the private sector to come, build and sell at an agreed price. The first project under this programme is the Pokuase affordable housing project which is to build 8,000 housing units. Infrastructure works are currently going on at the site.
Moreover, significant strides were made in the Redevelopment Programme, with housing units built for public sector workers at various locations, including Ridge, Airport Residential Area, Ringway Estate and Lartebiokorshie, 112 apartment units are currently under construction.
Incoming Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah commended Asenso-Boakye and the Ministry staff for their remarkable achievements despite the economic challenges, promising to build upon their successes in service to the nation.
Credit: 3News
Feb 14, 2024
President Akufo-Addo has appointed Kwesimintsim Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Prince Hamid Armah as the Deputy Minister of Works and Housing in a latest reshuffle.
The former Executive Secretary of National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) confirmed his appointment exclusively interview with Adomonline.com even though the announcement is yet to be made public.
Dr Armah’s appointment forms part of a major reshuffle which is expected to take place today, February 14, 2024.
This follows a meeting held on Friday, February 9, at the Jubilee House where Akufo-Addo reportedly concluded on the names for a reshuffle.
The President is poised to make significant changes to his ministerial appointments after months of public demands.
Originally slated for December, the reshuffle was rescheduled for February following the conclusion of the ruling party’s internal elections to preempt any unsuccessful candidates from attributing their loss to the president.
Credit: AdomOnline
May 25, 2023
The Minister for Works and Housing, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye has expressed the urgent need for a fundamental change in the country’s approach in addressing hydrological challenges in the country. The establishment of the Ghana Hydrological Authority, the sector Minister indicated, would go a long way to enhance existing hydrology, and provide the essential technical leadership required to tackle drainage and sustain flood management services.
Government is currently initiating the necessary processes for the establishment of the Ghana Hydrological Authority. The Ghana Hydrological Authority Bill, 2021 is to establish the Ghana Hydrological Authority (GHA) as the state institution responsible for the planning, design, execution, operation, and maintenance of flood control mechanisms, coastal engineering works, drainage improvement works, operational and applied hydrology in the country.
In his presentation to move the motion for the second reading for the establishment of the Ghana Hydrological Authority today, Hon. Asenso-Boakye indicated that the challenges associated with the delivery of hydrological services have made it difficult for institutions that depend on hydrology-related information for construction, irrigation, agriculture and maritime purposes to take full advantage of the department’s services.
The sector Minister believes the creation of a well-resourced and highly professional Ghana Hydrological Authority will not only attract and retain highly skilled staff but also ensure effective and well-coordinated development of drainage and flood management infrastructure in the country.
“The Authority will also be in the position to engage with Development Partners and explore sources of funding other than Government of Ghana to undertake flood mitigation projects across the country while enhancing the resilience of our communities and essential infrastructure”. The Minister added.
May 25, 2023
The government has started the necessary processes for the establishment of the Ghana Hydrological Authority.
A draft bill (the Ghana Hydrological Authority Bill, 2021) that would give legal backing to the Authority is currently before Parliament for consideration.
The bill contains the necessary framework to establish an institution responsible for the planning, design, execution, operation and maintenance of flood control mechanisms, coastal engineering works, drainage improvement works and applied hydrology in the country.
The Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, who disclosed this on the floor of Parliament during the second reading of the bill, said it would provide the essential technical leadership required to tackle drainage and sustain flood management services.
“I believe the creation of a well-resourced and highly professional Ghana Hydrological Authority will not only attract and retain highly skilled staff but also ensure effective and well-coordinated development of drainage and flood management infrastructure in the country,” he said.
“The Authority will also be in the position to engage with Development Partners and explore sources of funding other than the Government of Ghana to undertake flood mitigation projects across the country while enhancing the resilience of our communities and essential infrastructure,” the Minister added.
He indicated that it would also provide the necessary fundamental change in the country’s approach to addressing hydrological challenges required to address flooding.
The Minister also said the government has spent GHC 2.85 million to address coastal erosion in the last five years.
Some of the coastal communities which have benefited from this funding are Axim, Amanful Kumah, New Takoradi, Komenda, Cape Coast and Anomabo.
Other communities the government has built sea defence walls to protect lives and properties are Dixcove, Dansoman and Ningo-Prampram.
He said the government considered the protection of the coastal communities critical and would continue to invest in sea defence projects to safeguard lives.
He assured that the government would secure the necessary funding to complete the second phase of the 8km Blekusu sea defence project to stop tidal waves in communities such as Solakokpe, Agavedzi and Amutini.
“The government will also continue the implementation of all ongoing projects and commence works at Apam, Axim Phase II, La, Teshie and other sea defence works,” he said.
Source: GhanaToday
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
May 25, 2023
The newly-inaugurated Board of the Ghana Hydrological Authority has been charged to develop a drainage master plan to help address perennial flooding facing the country.
According to the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye, the master plan would guide the development and management of drainage systems to strengthen the country’s capacity to deal with flooding.
“With the implementation of the proposed drainage master plan, I am confident that we can mitigate the effects of flooding and make our communities safer to live in,” he added.
He was speaking in Accra yesterday during the inauguration of the 10-member Board of the Authority chaired by Kwasi Anim.
Source: Ghanaian Times
