President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has stated that his administration is implementing a comprehensive urban development strategy aimed at addressing the country’s housing deficit which the President says currently stands at 2 million units.
He made the assertion when he addressed attendees of a ceremony to commission a newly constructed police barracks at Kwabena, a suburb in the Greater Accra Region.
The new Police Barracks form part of measures to re-develop the 80 acres of land around the Kotoka International Airport into a modern commercial hub.
To this end, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior constructed the ultramodern Police Barracks at Kwabenya with related facilities for the relocation of the Ghana Police Service at the Airport to the new facility.
Housing deficit
In his address, President Akufo-Addo noted that “it is estimated that Ghana’s urban population will reach 72% by 2035. This represents a unique challenge as well as an opportunity to develop innovative solutions to the growing demand for housing, infrastructure, and public housing services in the [country’s] major cities”.
“To address this challenge, the government has been working tirelessly to implement a comprehensive urban development strategy which includes the construction of affordable housing units, the expansion of transportation networks, and the upgrading of public facilities such as schools, hospitals, and police stations.
“We have made considerable strides in this respect. Since 2017, we have launched several initiatives aimed at addressing Ghana’s housing deficit which currently stands at some two million units.
“Despite these measures, rapid urbanization continues to put immense pressure on our land resources. This has led to the degradation of some of our prime lands, particularly in urban areas” President Akufo-Addo said.
“It is therefore of utmost importance that we prioritize the optimal use of our land resources.
“That is why the government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Lands Commission has embarked on an ambitious urban renewal program aimed at redeveloping prime areas in major cities across the country.
“[This includes] the Kumasi sector 18, Marine Drive Tourism Development Project, and the Takoradi Breach Road Redevelopment Scheme amongst others” Akufo-Addo added.
State-of-the-art facility
Turning his attention to the new Police Barracks, President Akufo-Addo, indicated the facility he is commissioning “is the outcome of one such urban renewal program; the Aviation City Redevelopment Project at the airport enclave”.
“It is to pave way for this redevelopment that these state-of-the-art facilities have been constructed through a public-private partnership with Unique Development company for our hardworking men and women of the Ghana Police Service.
“The facility is made up of 514 one and two-bedroom self-contain flats of which 322 have been completed and are ready for occupation. These units are fitted with modern facilities and will serve as comfortable homes and afford a conducive working environment for police officers and their families” President Akufo-Addo said.
“In addition to the residential accommodation, this project also provides a school with modern facilities, a clinic, an astroturf football field, a tennis court, a standby generator, a police station, a fuel filling station, a workshop enclave, and other essential amenities.
“This is further testimony of our unwavering commitment to providing decent accommodation and other facilities for our security personnel. Not only will this facility improve the welfare of police officers, but they will also enhance their capacity to serve our nation even more effectively” the President added.
Second phase
President Akufo-Addo further pointed out that the three institutions that partnered to execute the first phase of the project must do everything within their power to complete the second phase as well.
“As we commission the first phase of this project, I urge the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Lands Commission, and Unique Development Company to work in earnest and complete the remaining 192 housing units and other facilities that make up the second phase of the project,” Akufo-Addo remarked.
Relocation/ re-development
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, in his statement noted that several police installations located at the current airport police station are to be relocated to the new facility which has been built at Kwabenya to free up the land for re-development.
The installations he indicated will include “the barracks with primary and junior high schools, mobile force quarters, rapid deployment force, national protection unit, fuel depot, and workshop”.
“Other occupants in the area include the band trooping army of the Ghana Armed Forces, the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) and the Ghana Metrological Agency (GMA)” Abu Jinapor said.
From: Wilberforce Asare
