Warren Robertson

The Government of Ghana has announced the signing of a huge deal with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for the construction of about 100 000 affordable homes across Ghana.

With the gross development value of the completed project – estimated to be in the region of USD5.3-billion (about R73-billion) – UNOPS and its partners are looking to attract USD436-million for the provision of the homes.

UNOPS executive director, Grete Faremo, says that the project is a great opportunity to supply sustainable and resilient housing for the people of Ghana, while also boosting the local economy and improving the livelihoods of the Ghanaian people.

“The knock-on effect means unlocking new opportunities and resources for local communities, which helps drive progress toward the SDGs,” he says, explaining that, “The 100 000 houses are to be constructed using energy-efficient solar rooftops and manufactured locally, which will provide up to 3 000 jobs for local people.”

President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo stresses the importance of the project for Ghana, and says, “I believe we are all well aware of the challenges Ghana, and most of Africa, faces when it comes to the provision of decent, well-planned and organised housing for our citizens. The difficulty in addressing this on-going challenge has led to a huge housing deficit in our country … with the signing of this project agreement, we shall usher into existence a new dawn for Ghana and our citizens.”