- Contractors to Resume Work on Saglemi Affordable Housing Project
- Minister vows to prevent project stalling in future
- Government committed to completing coastal defense projects
The Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has assured the public that contractors will soon return to continue work on the stalled Saglemi Affordable Housing Project.
“We know of the Saglemi housing project, among other projects, that has stalled halfway. When I resumed office, I started engaging with key stakeholders, and very soon, we will move to site, and then work will begin,” Mr. Adjei said during an interview on a working visit to housing projects in the Greater Accra Region on Tuesday.
The Minister’s visit took him to the National Homeownership Fund Affordable Housing Projects in Shai Hills and Tema Community 22, as well as the Ningo Prampram Coastal Sea Defence Project.
Background on Saglemi Housing Project
The Saglemi Affordable Housing Project, situated on a 300-acre plot of land, was initiated in 2012 during the first term of President John Dramani Mahama. The project was designed to provide one to three-bedroom flats for low and middle-income earners, with an aim to deliver 5,000 residential units to address housing deficits in the Greater Accra Region.
However, the project has faced delays. By the time of the change of government in 2017, more than $200 million had been spent, and just over 1,500 units were partially completed. The project stalled following allegations of embezzlement involving former Works and Housing Minister, Collins Dauda, and his successor, Samuel Ataa Akyea. Legal action over the alleged embezzlement, which was led by former Attorney Generals (A-Gs) Gloria Akufo and Godfred Yeboah Dame, was discontinued by the current A-G, Dr. Dominic Ayine.
Plans for Future Projects
During his address, Minister Adjei emphasized the government’s commitment to preventing future project delays. “We will put in plans to ensure that we don’t start projects and end midway, but to ensure that all projects get to their finishing line,” he stated.
He also urged contractors to adhere to timelines for completing their projects. “Some of the projects are behind schedule, some too are on schedule, and I would advise our contractors that going forward, we don’t want any delays in our projects. If we give timelines, we should stick to the timelines,” he added.
The Minister reiterated that the government was focused on safeguarding lives and property in coastal regions, with plans to accelerate coastal defence projects in areas such as Axim, Cape Coast, Dansoman, and Dixcove, and explore alternative funding sources for ongoing efforts.
