Minister advocates integrated approach to address housing deficit

Potential home owners and other individuals interested in improving their homes have an opportunity to access housing products and services at a one-stop shop in Kumasi.

The 4^th edition of the Multi TV Habitat Fair in the Garden City begins on Friday 22^nd – Sunday 24^th November at the Golden Tulip, Kumasi City.

Opening the Fair, Ashanti Regional Deputy Minister, Samuel Yaw Adusei, observed that the realistic way of addressing Ghana’s housing challenges is for all industry partners to collaborate, “with government playing a major role”.

He says real estate developers must dialogue with financial brokers and civil society for integrated approach to housing planning and delivery.

“To realize the requisite human, financial and material mis to sustain our fight against the housing deficit there must be an urgent need for industry players to refocus and redesign strategies for sustainable housing delivery in the country,” stated Mr. Adusei.

This, he noted, calls for efforts to develop and use local building materials in order to reduce cost and ease pressure on the depleting forest resources.

Statistics show Ghana requires at least 10,000 housing units annually in the short to medium term to solve the country’s housing deficit. The present shortfall puts the poor and even the working class in constant need of residential accommodation.

Multi TV is collaborating with private developers and financial services institutions to explore affordable housing opportunities.

The Deputy Minister observes cumbersome and insecure land acquisition procedures, inadequate incentives and capacity support for private sector need to be tackled holistically to bring an ending solution to Ghanaians.  

He adds government's policy objectives are geared towards addressing the housing deficit by accelerating delivery in both rural and urban areas.

Mr. Adusei commended the Multimedia Group for the initiative while encouraging industry players to take advantage of the platform to improve their operation.

The three-day event covers a broad range of products and services in the housing industry comprising works related to both interior and exterior.

Exhibitors would have the platform to sell directly to over 10,000 potential clients, and have the opportunity to interact with target market, get immediate feedback on product range, run sales promotion of  product and services among others.

Business Manager of Multimedia Group in Kumasi, Jimmy Aglah, who highlighted the rationale for Habitat Fair, was optimistic the Kumasi version would be a success.

Exhibitors are also ready to provide better services and products to clients at the Fair.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh