Dedesua: President John Dramani Mahama has initiated the Green City Housing project in Dedesua, located in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region. This ambitious project, spearheaded by the State Housing Company Limited (SHCL), is set on a 200-acre land parcel provided by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The development aims to deliver over 1,000 housing units within a sustainably designed community, setting a new standard for urban development in Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, the project will not only offer housing but also create employment, stimulate local businesses, and foster lasting economic growth throughout the Bosomtwe District. President Mahama highlighted the pressing nature of Ghana's housing deficit, which stands at over 1.5 million units. He attributed this shortfall to factors such as increasing land values, rising construction costs, and limited access to long-term financing.
President Mahama emphasized the urgent need to address the housing shortage, noting the rapid urbanization of Ghana, with more than half of the population currently residing in urban areas. He projected that by 2050, this figure could rise to approximately 70 percent. Cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi face the challenge of accommodating this growth, necessitating immediate action.
The President reiterated the Government's commitment to the Reset Agenda, aiming to rethink housing delivery and infrastructure development. He stressed that decent housing is a fundamental right, contributing to improved public health, educational outcomes, productivity, and community stability. The Green City Housing project, he noted, is a timely intervention, fostering the creation of a safe, affordable, and dignified community.
President Mahama also announced new district-level social housing initiatives designed to reduce financial barriers to homeownership. He insisted that housing benefits should extend beyond major cities to regional and district capitals. He expressed gratitude to the Asantehene for providing the land and acknowledged SHCL's role as the leading provider of housing to Ghanaians over the past seventy years, pledging continued government support.
The Asantehene, represented by the Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu III, praised the government's efforts to tackle the housing deficit. He cautioned traditional leaders and chiefs against selling lands designated for the Green City Housing Project, highlighting the importance of preserving these resources for the initiative.