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, held at the Labadi Beach Hotel, was formally opened by the Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.
Minister Oppong Nkrumah also launched the Ghana Hydrological Fund, a crucial initiative aimed at mitigating flood risks and improving water management across the nation. He emphasized the critical need for sustainable funding to tackle Ghana’s flooding problems effectively.
The Minister announced a GHS 1.5 million in seed funding for the fund and called upon all stakeholders, including development partners, to contribute towards its success. He highlighted the fund’s role in expediting essential projects such as drainage construction and dredging.
Minister Oppong Nkrumah 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. Only 2% of drainage channels in the Greater Accra Region, requiring concrete lining, have been addressed, reflecting the urgent need for comprehensive action.
The Ghana Hydrological Fund aims to provide a structured financial mechanism to expedite necessary projects like drainage construction and dredging to 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.
The conference brings together government officials, industry experts, and development partners to share knowledge and best practices in addressing housing and flooding challenges. The event is expected to yield meaningful solutions and commitments towards addressing Ghana’s housing and hydrology challenges.
The launch of the Ghana Hydrological Fund and the BENCHH 2024 conference demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing the nation’s pressing housing and flooding challenges, and stakeholders are optimistic about the potential for meaningful progress in the built environment sector.
