Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has assured that contractors will soon return to the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project site to continue construction.

During a recent working visit to housing developments at Shai Hills and Ningo Prampram in the Greater Accra Region, Mr. Adjei emphasized that the government is actively engaging key stakeholders to revive the long-stalled project.

“We know of the Saglemi housing project, among other projects, has stalled halfway. When I resumed office, I started engaging with key stakeholders, and very soon, we will move to site, and then work will begin,” he stated.

His tour also included inspections of the National Homeownership Fund Affordable Housing Projects in Shai Hills and Tema Community 22, alongside the Ningo Prampram Coastal Sea Defence Project.

Launched in 2012 under the administration of former President John Dramani Mahama, the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project was designed to help reduce Ghana’s housing deficit by providing 5,000 residential units for low- and middle-income earners on a 300-acre site. Despite an investment of around $200 million, only 1,500 units were partially completed before the project was halted in 2017 following a change in government.

The delay was linked to allegations of embezzlement made by former Housing Minister Samuel Atta Akyea against his predecessor, Collins Dauda. Legal proceedings initiated by former Attorney-Generals Gloria Akufo and Godfred Yeboah Dame have since been discontinued by the current Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine.

Preventing Future Project Stalls

Mr. Adjei highlighted the government’s renewed focus on ensuring that projects are seen through to completion without unnecessary delays or financial losses.

“We will put in plans to ensure that we don’t start projects and end midway, but to ensure that all projects get to their finishing line,” he said.

He also urged contractors to adhere to set timelines to avoid further setbacks.

“Some of the projects are behind schedule, some too are on schedule, and I would advise our contractors that going forward, we don’t want any delays in our projects. If we give timelines, we should stick to the timelines. Those are things I’m going to meet and discuss with the contractors,” he stated.

The minister further reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and properties in coastal areas. He assured that ongoing sea defence projects in Axim, Cape Coast, Dansoman, and Dixcove would be expedited, with alternative funding sources being explored to ensure their completion.