Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has revealed the government’s intention of selling off the Saglemi Housing Project to a private sector developer.
He disclosed that proceeds from the sale of the housing units will be re-invested into other affordable housing projects.
According to him, the offload will be at no cost to the government, which has expended $195 million so far, noting that an additional $68 million would be required by the private developer to complete the housing units.
Mr. Asenso-Boakye explained at a press conference that after a series of meetings with the Cabinet, Ministry of Finance, Attorney General, and Ministry of Justice, the government saw the need to sell the project because it couldn’t fund it because it was handicapped.
Mr. Francis Asenso-Boakye further stressed that the Saglemi Housing Project, which was supposed to cover 5,000 housing units, now covers 1,500 housing units and has been halted due to misappropriation of funds; it lacks the necessary social amenities, making it inhabitable.
“We’re allowing a private sector developer to take up the initiative to build and sell the housing units.”
“In furtherance of the above and to facilitate the processes, a technical working team has been set up, comprising professionals and experts to oversee and spearhead all engagements required for the completion of the project,” he added.
He noted that a committee will be commissioned to guide the process to ensure transparency throughout the whole thing.
He revealed, however, that the government would need to speed up some extra $46 million for offsite works in respect of water, electricity, and storm drains.
He made this disclosure at a press briefing in Accra on November 13, 2022.
The Saglemi Housing Project began in 2012, under the former President, John Mahama, in Ningo-Pramram, a district of the Greater Accra Region.
The project, which was intended to ease housing shortages by providing 5,000 housing units, has been the subject of controversy since 2017 and has been left unattended with only 1,500 units built so far.
