The government has announced plans to construct 2,225 new homes for those affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage that occurred in October of the previous year.

This initiative will replace residences lost during the incident and accounts for 40% of the total claims filed during the validation process, as stated by Mr. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister of Works and Housing.

The government is expected to invest between 400 and 500 million Ghana Cedis for the entire resettlement project, which will include the new housing units and additional facilities for the impacted areas.

The Volta River Authority (VRA) released excess water from the Akosombo Dam on October 15, 2023, in a bid to maintain the dam's safety and structural integrity.

This spillage led to flooding in several low-lying communities, including Mepe, Battor, Sogakope, Mafi, Adidome, and Ada, all located within the North and Central Tongu districts of the Volta Region.

While providing an update on the housing sector during a media briefing in Accra, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah highlighted that earlier this year, in April, the government commenced the construction of 115 housing units specifically for those affected by the dam spillage.

Currently, the construction of the 115 housing units is 60% complete. The initial phase of the project includes a total of 1,010 housing units, with the Ministry having received a Commitment Certificate to allocate GHc200 million from the government.

Work on the remaining housing units will commence once additional funds are secured from the central government.

During a recent briefing, the focus was on the government's strategies to address halted housing projects, create a public-private partnership framework with incentives to reduce the housing deficit, ensure sustainable financing for housing initiatives, expedite the completion of affordable housing developments, and secure land banks for future projects.

The Minister also discussed several key affordable housing initiatives that the Ministry has been implementing to tackle the housing shortage in the country.

He highlighted several ongoing housing initiatives, including the Pokuase-Afiaman Housing Project, which consists of 8,000 units. Additionally, he mentioned the Saglemi Housing Project, where 5,000 units are planned, with 1,506 of those currently partially finished.

There are also 342 units in the Koforidua Affordable Housing Project and 1,904 units under the Tema Development Company (TDC), of which 1,072 are complete.

Furthermore, 609 housing units for public sector workers are in progress and are expected to be ready for allocation to interested applicants by October of this year.

“This government remains steadfast in its commitment to providing decent, safe, secure, and affordable housing for all its citizens,” Mr Oppong Nkrumah assured.