The Ministry of Works and Housing in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development commemorated the 2017 World Habitat Day on the theme, ‘Housing Policies; Affordable Homes’, in Accra.
The World Habitat Day, which is celebrated on the first Monday of October every year, was instituted by the United Nations (UN) in 1985 to reflect on the state of cities and towns and the basic rights of all to adequate housing.
The UN also designated the month of October as “Urban October”, to commemorate key urban activities across the world and to create awareness among policy makers, citizens and stakeholders about the opportunities of urbanization.
Over one billion people, constituting one sixth of the world’s population, live in deplorable conditions in dilapidated slums and shanty-towns. By 2030, that number is expected to increase to 2 billion.
Addressing a press conference to mark the day, Honorable Samuel Atta Akyea, Minister of Works and Housing expressed the Government’s commitment to addressing the housing deficit in the country through partnership with the private sector in the provision of affordable housing units.
He said the Ministry is currently implementing Affordable Housing Programme aimed at providing adequate and decent housing, particularly to the low and middle-income groups.