WORKS AND HOUSING MINISTER OUTLINES PLANS FOR THE MINISTRY
The Honorable Minister of Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea, has disclosed that the Ministry has some priority infrastructure projects which would need Private Partnerships to accomplish because they are capital intensive.
He said the priority areas of the Ministry are affordable housing projects, construction of a world class sewerage system and drainage systems to solve the perennial floods as well as the redevelopment of government properties in areas such as Nima and Maamobi.
Honourable Atta Akyea said this at the official launch ceremony of the Multi-Sector International Exhibition held at the Accra Marriot Hotel.
He added that the other areas of priority are sea defence projects, estimated to be 550 kilometres along the coastline, the building and relocation of Government City to Prampram, in the Greater Accra Region, the construction of modern court structures and accommodation throughout the country for the judiciary and the security services.
The Minister explained that the Ministry exists to formulate, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of policies, plans, programmes and projects for the sustainable management of public landed properties, drainage works, coastal protection works and operational hydrology as well as secure, safe, decent and affordable housing for all people living in the country and will do all it can to achieve its mandate.
He stressed that the goal of the Ministry is to sustainably manage the available resources to ensure the provision of safe, decent and affordable housing as well as infrastructural facilities to accelerate the nation’s socio-economic development. That, he said, will be delivered through an ‘efficient management system that employs all the tools of strategic planning, budgeting and implementation of programmes and projects as well as monitoring and evaluation to ensure transparency and accountability’.
Mr. Atta Akyea pointed out that, to achieve these projects, it is the government’s vision to use an appropriate mix of public policy and public-private investments to deliver quality, affordable and sustainable public infrastructure that meets the needs of the country, particularly the vulnerable and the marginalized.
Mr. Birender Singh Yadav, the Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, said his country was excited to partner Ghana in the areas of the exhibition, adding that 65 companies from India would be participating in the exhibition.
Mr. Carlos Ahenkora, a Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, said his Ministry saw the exhibitions as timely as the government has prioritized the creation of jobs for the teaming unemployed youth.
On his part, the Managing Director of Exhibition Masters, Mr. Prince Hari Crystal, stated that many of the companies, participating in this year’s exhibition are looking forward to strike new partnerships and agreements, set up production plants or get new franchises in Ghana.