Mr Chairman, the Honourable Minister of Information
Hon. Deputy Ministers
Chief Directors
Directors, Heads of Department and Agencies
Friends from the Media here present
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasant duty to present the performance of my Ministry to the good people of Ghana. Over the last couple of months, I have engaged you at this venue to dilate on the core mandate of my Ministry – delivery of Water, Works and Housing. These interactions have helped to bring to the fore the strategic importance of my Ministry within the National Development Agenda. As you may be aware, my Ministry handles two of the four most important basic needs of mankind. These are Water and Shelter.
Mr Chairman, my presentation today gives an update of development in the Water, Works and Housing Sectors.
THE WATER SECTOR
The Water Sector is sub-divided into three main sub-sectors – Water Resources Management, Urban Water and Rural Water. The Water Resources Commission handles the management of the country’s water resources whilst Urban Water delivery is by the Ghana Water Company Limited. The Community Water and Sanitation Agency is the Agency responsible for Rural Water delivery.
i. WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
The Water Resources Commission (WRC), an agency of the Ministry has the mandate to regulate and manage the country’s water resources and to co-ordinate the implementation of government policies related to water resources.
Regrettably, most of Ghana’s rivers and water bodies, which used to be perennial, are drying up. The degradation of vegetative cover at headwaters and along the banks of many river systems and other surface water bodies can be attributed to increase in human settlements, urbanization, poor agricultural practices, and un-controlled logging and mining activities.
In order to effectively address these problems the Water Resources Commission has developed a Riparian Buffer Zone Policy with the view to developing and maintaining buffers (an area or band of natural or planted vegetation located between land and water bodies) to conserve and preserve water bodies.
Buffer zones provide valuable socio-economic services including:
• Creation of jobs in the planting and maintenance of economic trees;
• Generation of income from valuable timber and non-timber forest products such as forage and fruits;
• Protection of indigenous multi-species of plants traditionally harvested for medicine and material for building;
• Conservation of natural scenic areas of recreational value, cropping, and eco-tourism;
• Provision of potable water supply for local communities; and
• Supporting fish populations for many fishing communities.
A Cabinet Memorandum on the Riparian Buffer Zone has been finalized for submission to Cabinet for approval.
URBAN WATER SERVICE DELIVERY
ii. GHANA WATER COMPANY (GWCL)
Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) is mandated to provide safe, adequate and affordable water to the urban population of Ghana. Urban water coverage as at the end of 2011 was 63.37%.
GWCL operates 82 pipe-borne water systems with a total installed capacity of about 245 million gallons per day. By the end of 2011, production was about 150 million gallons per day while demand was 237 million gallons per day. By the end of 2011, the average monthly sales was 2.3 billion gallons of water which translated into a monthly billing of GH¢ 11.933million. Out of this amount, an average monthly collection of GH¢ 10.85million was made. Total national customer strength currently is only 438,034 of which 72% are billed and 28% unbilled.
Over the years, demand for water has out-stripped the supply as a result of low investment in the water infrastructure and uncontrolled human settlement. For example, Government started the Kpong Water System in 1965 to serve part of the population of Accra and the Tema Township which was about 500,000. The system never had any major rehabilitation or expansion until 1994, when the intake pumps were changed. Till date, the same system is being used to serve a greater number of people in the Eastern part of Accra. This example represents the scenario in all the other water systems nationwide.
However, Governments over the years have initiated a number of projects to further improve the delivery of safe and affordable water. Permit me at this point to elaborate on some of these projects:
a) Koforidua Water Supply Project
Feasibility studies of the Koforidua Water Supply Project was initiated during the Rawlings’ regime. However, the first phase of the actual construction works started in 2006. It was to increase the volume of water supply by 3 million gallons per day from 1.9 million gallons per day. The project involved pumping raw water from the Volta Lake which is 30km away from Koforidua. This was completed in 2009. The Second phase of the project was to improve the distribution network for treated water within Koforidua. The third phase which was to extend treated water to New Tafo, Maase, Kukurantumi, Jumapo, and Osiem was completed in 2011. The total cost of the project was € 54,229,000.00.
b) Teshie Desalination Water Project
The Teshie Desalination Water Project is to be implemented through the Design, Build, Operate, Own and Transfer (DBOOT) strategy. The 13 million gallons per day treatment plant will be built to treat sea water at Teshie. This will improve water delivery to the Teshie –Nungua community, the Military barracks and parts of Tema. Currently, all necessary approvals have been given and the contractor has started mobilizing to site. The project duration is 2 years and will serve an estimated population of 500,000 people.
c) Kumasi Water Supply Project
This project involved the rehabilitation and expansion of the Owabi and Barekese Treatment Plants to increase their supply capacity by 6 million gallons per day. The first phase of the project was completed in 2009 with improvements in the distribution network. Funding has been secured to further increase the capacity of the Barekese Plant by another 6 million gallons per day under the second phase. This phase also includes re-afforestation of the catchment area to increase and improve the water quality in the Barekese Reservoir. The project which is expected to end by January, 2013 is 70% complete. The total cost of the project is estimated at €37,430,000.
d) Accra - Tema Metropolitan Area (ATMA) Rural Water Supply Project
This intervention is aimed at improving the water supply to communities along the peripheries of ATMA. With the completion of this project, the following would be achieved:
• A total capacity of 9.24 million gallons per day of water supply would be available to these areas;
• 84.33km of transmission pipelines would be laid
• A total of 4 reservoirs would be constructed at Adukrom, Dodowa, Atimpoku and Akorley.
It will improve water supply situation in the following areas: Michel Camp, Afienya, Kpone, Prampram, Old Ningo, New Ningo, Ayitepa, Kponguno, Omankope, Kodiabe, Doyumu, Agomeda, Adumanya, Menyum, Dodowa, Odese, Nganompian, Bawalashi, Akwaley, Oyibi, Amanhria, Amanfro, Latehman, Ashiyie, Fafraha, Abominya, Amanfro, Ayikuma, Abokobi, Pantang and Ayi Mensah (all in the Greater Accra Region) and Akorley, Abonse, Aperede, Adukrom, Awukugua, Dawu, Abiriw, Akropong, Mamfe, Amanokrom, Tutu, Obosomase, Ahwerase, Aburi, Gyankama, Peduase, Kitase, Berekuso, Frankadua, Apeguso, Aboasa, Kwenyako, Juapong, Ogoli, Akwamufie, Mangoasi, Atimpoku, New Senchi, Akrade, Senchi, Domeabra, Lolonyo, Agomanya, Manya Kpowonu, Odumasi, Menekpo, Sra, Sawe and Ogome (in the Eastern Region). The project is 80% complete. The cost of the project is estimated at €56,466,776.24 and will serve 250,000 inhabitants.
e) Asante Mampong Water Supply Project
The US$23,112,702 project is to rehabilitate and expand the existing system to meet the increase in the demand for water in Mampong. The project would increase the capacity by 1.6 million gallons per day and extend the distribution network by 42km. The project which is expected to end in July, 2013 is 74% complete.
The project will serve the following communities:
Darmang, Daaho, Basafour, Besease, Kyeremfaso, Krobo, Mpenya, Dadease, Bonkron, Nsuta, and Beposo. The estimated population to be served is 58,000 people.
f) Kwahu Ridge, Konongo and Kumawu Water Supply Project (3 Ks)
• Kwahu Ridge
This project is to rehabilitate the existing facility and expand the capacity of the water treatment plant from 1 million gallons per day to 3.5 million gallons per day to serve an estimated population of 330,000 by the year 2025. Some of the beneficiary communities are: Abene, Abetifi, Asakraka Kwahu, Aduamoa, Atibie, Bepong, Bokuruwa, Kwahu Tafo, Mpreaso, Nkwatia, Nteso, Obo, Obomeng, Pepease, Tweneduase, Kotoso, Asempaneye, Nkawkaw, Hweehwee, Akwasseho, Afi, Suminakese and surrounding communities.
• Konongo Water System
Konongo is a surface water scheme based on the abstraction of raw water from River Anunu which dries up from February to April each year. The current system produces about 295, 000 gallons per day. The present and projected demand can be achieved by additional impoundment storage at the intake. The total plant capacity after rehabilitation and expansion works would be 3.6 million gallons per day and it is estimated to serve about 190,000 inhabitants.
• Kumawu Water System
A new system is to be constructed to serve Kumawu and its environs. Communities such as Kumawu, Besoro, Abotanso, and other settlements along the transmission pipelines would benefit from the project. The projected population to be served is 150,000 by the year 2025.
Currently, for all the 3Ks, transmission pipelines have been laid from the treatment plants to the reservoir sites and progress of work is at 20%
g) Essakyir Water Supply Project
In order to improve the water supply situation at Essakyir and its environs, a study was carried out to determine the projected water demand in the distribution area. This has resulted in a design horizon for the year 2025, to serve a population of approximately 163,000 with a water production capacity of 3.2 million gallons a day.
Currently, construction works are underway:
• The intake and weir have been completed;
• Construction of clarifiers are in progress;
• Disinfecting contact chamber has been constructed.
• A Clear water reservoir and high lift pumping station is on-going.
• A transmission pipeline from Otuam to Mumford has been laid.
The current status of the project is 42% and it is expected to be completed by January, 2014 at the cost of € 20,040,603.
h) Nsawam Water Supply Project
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Densu River is the main source for the Nsawam Water Supply Project. The water supply system of Nsawam currently supplies six towns and villages. These are Nsawam, Medie, Ntoaso No.1, Ntoaso No.2, Owuraku, Hebron, and Adoagyiri.
In view of the current acute water challenges facing Accra-Tema Metropolitan Area (ATMA), which includes communities along the road from Tantra Hill to Nsawam, the expansion and rehabilitation of the water supply project would release excess capacity which would improve water supply to other parts of Accra.
The project will build a new treatment plant with a capacity of 1.7 million gallons per day and a 3.5km distribution network. Currently, the contractor has mobilized to site. This project is expected to be completed by October, 2013.
i) Kpong Water Supply Expansion Project
The Kpong Water Supply Expansion Project is being carried out at an estimated cost of US$273 million with funding from the Government of Ghana and China Exim Bank. The project is envisaged to increase water supply to ATMA by 40 million gallons per day. The system has been designed to feed the Terminal Reservoir at Okponglo in Accra with the transmission pipeline passing through Dodowa, Oyibi and its environs. The project will improve water supply to areas such as Adenta, Madina, Kwabenya, Ashongmang, North, East and West Legon, Ashaley Botwe, Haatso, Boi, Asofaa, Dome and its environs. The project which is expected to end by 2014 is 30% complete.
j) Kpong Intake Rehabilitation Project
The Kpong Intake expansion project is being carried out to increase the capacity of the pumps from 52 million gallons per day to 78 million gallons by replacing all the pumps. As part of this project a 3.3 million gallons per day package treatment plant is to be built to increase supply to ATMA rural (eg. Dodowa, Ningo, Prampram and the Akuapem Ridge). The estimated cost of the project is €16.5 million and it is to be completed in 2years.
k) Sogakope – Lome Trans-Boundary Water Supply Project
This is a trans-boundary water project being implemented with the Republic of Togo. The African Development Bank is financing both the project preparation and implementation phases which involve the update of the feasibility report, the environmental and social impact assessment reports and preparation of BOT tender document.
A joint technical team from GWCL and Togo Water Company (TWC) have prepared joint request for funding under a grant facility from AfDB. The project will enable Togo anchor its water supply from the Volta River at Sogakope for delivery to Lome. All the towns and villages along the pipe route in Ghana will be supplied with potable water. Some of the beneficiary communities include Denu, Agbozume and Aflao. In April this year, the 2 water sector Ministers from Ghana and Togo have signed the joint application to the AfDB to commence the update of the existing feasibility report.
l) Wa Water Project
The Wa Water Supply System is currently dependent on ground water abstraction. The project under consideration is to construct a 3.3 million gallons per day intake water station on the Black Volta. Other components of the project are the construction of 35km transmission and 99km distribution pipelines, storage tanks, treatment plant, and the provision of a dedicated electricity source. A consultant has been procured to facilitate the execution of the project. The project benefits include reliable supply of water to Wa and its environs, improved healthcare and increased access to potable water.
m) Bolgatanga Water Supply System
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to announce that Funding has been secured for the Bolgatanga Water Supply System and the tender will be launched by December 2012. The areas to be covered are Bolgatanga, Zuarungu, Navrongo, Paga and Bongo. The main source of water supply will be the Tono Dam.
URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT
For the past 5 years (2006-2011), urban water management was handled by the Aqua Vitens Rand Limited (AVRL) which was tasked among others to reduce non-revenue water, increase customer base and generally improve urban water delivery in the country.
The contract between the Government of Ghana and AVRL expired in June 2011 but Government did not renew the contract. In order to ensure uninterrupted water service delivery, a wholly owned Government of Ghana company – Ghana Urban Water Limited (GUWL) was put in place.
Government’s policy is to review the whole water sector with the view to improving service delivery and access to water by the entire urban population.
A committee was therefore, put in place to carry out this review exercise. It is my pleasure to announce that extensive consultations are going on with all stakeholders in the water sector.
The purpose of the review and restructuring exercise is to enhance efficiency of the urban water sub-sector. This exercise is being done in collaboration with one major stakeholder, the World Bank. As we speak, the advisory committee charged with the exercise is concluding its report for submission before the end of the week. Per the road map drawn by this committee, the institutional arrangement is expected to be in operation by December, 2012.
Mr. Chairman, some of the challenges faced in urban water service delivery has mainly been attributed to poor raw water quality, inadequate investment, obsolete infrastructure, encroachment and high commercial losses.
RURAL WATER SERVICE DELIVERY
iii. COMMUNITY WATER AND SANITATION AGENCY (CWSA)
Mr. Chairman, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) was set up in 1998 to facilitate the provision of safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene promotion services to rural communities and small towns in Ghana.
The rural and small towns’ water and sanitation sub-sector has seen consistent increases in coverage levels since 2000. From 40% in 2000, it rose to about 57% in 2008, 59% in 2009, 61.74% in 2010 and 63.34% at the close of 2011. This represents about 23.34% increase in coverage during the decade. This is, however, below the projected coverage of 65.80% by 2011 as captured in the CWSA Strategic Investment Plan (2008-2015).
• Interventions
CWSA is currently managing a number of projects funded by both the Government of Ghana and Development Partners. These partners include Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), International Development Association of the World Bank (IDA), Agence Française Developpement (AFD), and Canadian International Development (CIDA) among others.
Ladies and gentlemen, highlights of the projects are as follows:
a) Northern Region Small Towns Water And Sanitation Project (NORST)
This is a seven (7) year - CIDA supported water supply and sanitation project aimed at providing increased access to sustainable potable water and sanitation services for up to 30 selected small towns in the Northern Region (approximately 125,000 beneficiaries). The CIDA budget for the support of the NORST project is CDN$30million. The project is in the middle of its implementation. Planning, designing and construction of improved water supply and sanitation facilities are on-going. Thirteen (13) districts along the eastern corridor of the Northern Region are the beneficiaries of the project. Though the project suffered setbacks in the beginning it has finally taken off and construction works have began in the first five towns after source boreholes have been drilled.
b) Sustainable Rural Water And Sanitation Project (SRWSP)
This project is funded, by the IDA/World Bank, with an amount of US$75 million. The five year (2010-2015) Project is targeted to improve access to water and sanitation for 600,000 people in the Upper West (UW), Upper East (UE), Northern, Brong Ahafo (BA), Central and Western Regions of Ghana. It will also support institutional strengthening.
The Expected Outputs of the project are:
i. 1,200 new bore holes
ii. 400 old bore holes to be rehabilitated in the Northern region
iii. 40 Limited mechanised water facilities
iv. 29 Small town systems
All communities under the project will be engaged in Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) activities. As of now a consultant has finished the assessment of thirteen small town water supply systems in the Northern Region for rehabilitation under this project. These towns are: Bole, Bimbila, Cherepone, Daboya, Gambaga, Walewale, Salaga, Gushiegu, Nalerigu, Saboba, Tinga, Wulensi and Zabzugu.
In addition, all the six engineering consultants have been procured and are in the field preparing detailed designs for the 29 small towns systems and the 40 limited mechanised facilities to be constructed. The same engineering firms will site and supervise the construction of source boreholes and 1,200 point sources provided for in the project targets. It is expected that the actual construction works will begin in all the 64 districts of the 6 regions mentioned above by September 2013.
c) Peri-Urban, Rural and Small Towns Water and Sanitation Project in the Brong Ahafo RegionThis is a four year (2008-2012) potable water supply and sanitation project. It aims at improving access to sustainable water and sanitation services for 300,000 people in all the 22 Districts of the Brong Ahafo region. The entire project cost is €21.6 million secured from Agence Française de Developpement (AFD) comprising €1.6 million grant, €17million credit and €2.4 million Government of Ghana contribution.
Project targets include the following:
• 17 Small Towns Piped schemes,
• 670 Boreholes fitted with Hand pumps,
• 100 Institutional latrines,
• 20 Hand dug wells
• An office block for the Brong Ahafo Regional CWSA
Mr. Chairman, contract for 14 out of the 15 small town systems have been awarded. Additionally, 550 point source boreholes of the targeted 670 have been drilled. 225 hand pumps have been installed on the drilled boreholes and work is on-going. All 100 institutional latrines are under construction and are at various stages of completion. The two office block complex for the CWSA Brong Ahafo office has been completed and in use.
d) Water And Sanitation Project Under The Local Services Delivery And Governance Programme (LSDGP)Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the target regions of the Programme are Volta, Northern, Eastern, Central and the Greater Accra. The main objective of the project is to improve access to water and sanitation services and support capacity building. About 264,000 people and 100 institutions are expected to benefit from the intervention. The project is being funded by DANIDA at the cost of USD$ 18,174,647.57. Expected Outputs include:
• 400 new boreholes fitted with hand pump,
• 35 rehabilitated hand pump boreholes,
• 80 new hand dug wells,
• 20 new rainwater harvesting schemes,
• 8 new piped schemes based on ground water in small towns,
• 4 new piped schemes base on surface water,
• 4 piped schemes rehabilitation and
• 100 institutional latrines
The project is winding up and will be formally closed by the end of this year. The following outputs have been achieved.
• 404 new boreholes fitted with hand pumps
• 65 boreholes rehabilitated and fitted with new hand pumps.
• 2 piped schemes rehabilitated
• 40 rainwater harvesting schemes completed
• 7 Groundwater based piped schemes completed. Feasibility is completed for 2 schemes
• Extension of surface based piped scheme to 37 communities is 80% complete in the Greater Accra region.
• 156 institutional latrines completed
• 24 Ferro tanks completed.
e) Government Of Ghana 5-Year 20,000 Borehole Delivery Programme
Mr Chairman, as part of its commitment to the Rural Water Sub-Sector, the Government is to provide funding from the Consolidated Fund for the delivery of 20,000 boreholes over a 5 year period from 2011 to 2015. The Project was expected to start in 2011 with the drilling of 5,440 boreholes. However, an amount of GH¢17 million was provided early this year by Government for the drilling of the first batch of 1,090 boreholes. To date 400 boreholes have been drilled out of the revised target of 1,090 and work on the others is in progress.
f) COCOBOD Borehole Project
Ladies and Gentlemen, this project is constructing 3,000 solar powered hand pump boreholes in some regions in Ghana in three phases within a period of three successive years. The objective of this project is to provide safe potable water to 3,000 rural communities of Ghana in general and especially cocoa, coffee and sheanut growing areas, by the year 2013 to serve approximately 900,000 people. The project intends to deliver 1,000 boreholes in 2012. An amount of GH¢ 11,970,000.00 was provided by the Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to cover the cost for the first 1,000 boreholes in 2011.
A total of 1,120 boreholes have been drilled. Hand pump installation is on-going in all regions. 700 hand pumps have been installed so far. It is expected that COCOBOD will provide additional funds in 2012 for the next batch of bore holes.
HOUSING SECTOR
Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have already had two comprehensive press briefing on the Affordable housing programme and the STX housing project this year. Kindly permit me to update you on some of the current developments in the housing sector. Available data puts the Housing deficit in Ghana at 1.7 million housing units. To be able to address the deficit and accommodate new households, there is the need for an annual delivery of about 150,000 units over the next 20 years.
Government’s policy on housing has been to de-emphasize public direct delivery of housing and rather create an enabling environment for the private sector to deliver. Having identified housing as a critical factor in tackling poverty and social stabilization, Government has listed improved housing delivery as one of its priorities.
In this regard, Government is embarking on a Programme to create an enabling environment for the Private Sector to build housing units over the next five (5) years, through Public Private Partnership.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMME
Mr. Chairman, on the Affordable Housing Programme the Ministry has set up a committee with the objective of re-activating the project and ensuring that the initial investment by government would not go waste.
The mandate of the committee is to among others:
• Identify the issues that led to the discontinuation of the project;
• Determine the extent of work done at the various sites;
• Determine the total mobilization fees paid to the various contractors;
• Determine the current value of outstanding works and how much it would cost to complete the project;
• Revalue the housing units and determine the mode of allocation and
• Recommend the way forward.
The Ministry has also constituted a Housing Project Committee to evaluate proposals so far received from partners and recommend the feasible ones for implementation.
GHANA HOUSING PROFILE
The Ministry, with technical support from the UN-Habitat has prepared and launched the Ghana Housing Profile. The Profile gives an in-depth understanding of the structure and functioning of the housing sector, the role housing policies play in influencing housing markets and the provision of affordable housing options.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ENGINEERING COUNCIL
Mr. Chairman, The Engineering Council Act, 2011 (Act 189) has been enacted for the establishment of the Engineering Council.
PROPOSED LEGISLATION ON CONDOMINIUM PROPERTY
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Ghana Housing Finance Association is collaborating with the Ministry to have a condominium law passed. In view of the increased demand for the development of high rise properties and its implications for shared ownership of common areas, the Ministry in collaboration with its stakeholders intends to speed up the process to have the legislation enacted into law.
REVISION OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF A BUILDING CODE
Mr. Chairman, the Ministry has constituted a Committee comprising all relevant Agencies to revise the country’s Building Regulations. The aim is to provide the country with a building code that will conform to current international best practices and standards.
CONVERSION OF TOWER BLOCK OF THE STATE HOUSE (JOB 600) INTO OFFICES FOR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT (MPs)
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends from the Media, Government in its bid to strengthen the structures of democracy and institutions of state, is committed to providing permanent offices for Parliamentarians and support staff. We are happy to announce, that work on the conversion of the State House Tower Block into offices for Parliamentarians is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed in August 2012.
i. DEPARTMENT OF RURAL HOUSING
The Department of Rural Housing (DRH) is a decentralised agency of the Ministry. It focuses on improving the housing environment in the rural and peri-urban areas to reflect the level of development in the country. The mandate of the Department is as follows:
• Promotion of the production and use of improved Local Building Materials.
• Establishment of Production and Training Centres in selected districts to transfer technology and skill for the production and use of local building materials.
• Rehabilitation, facilitating maintenance of Rural Housing and construction of Rural Houses.
The Department is collaborating with the Ministry of Environment Science and Technology to implement the policy on the utilization of local building materials in the construction industry in Ghana. In the effort to implement the action plan on this programme, most manufacturers/fabricators of plant, machinery, equipment and tools have been registered and a forum organised to sensitize and challenge them to develop local machinery and tools needed for the enhancement of the local building material industry.
Again, the construction of local building material production and training centres is targeted at District Assemblies to make these materials available in the Districts.
COCOA FARMERS HOUSING SCHEME
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, Government in appreciation of the efforts of Cocoa Farmers in our National Development Agenda and also to address rural poverty, has been implementing the Cocoa Farmers Housing Scheme.
This programme is being implemented by the Department of Rural Housing, with financial support from COCOBOD. As I speak, out of the twenty eight (28) houses started in 2009/10, twenty two (22) have been completed and handed over to beneficiaries throughout the cocoa growing regions in the country. Another twenty (20) houses have been proposed for construction in Enchi, Samreboi, Juaboso, Bonsu-Nkwanta and Sefwi-Wiawso in the Western Region.
ii. STATE HOUSING COMPANY LIMITED
Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, the State Housing Company Limited (SHCL), Ghana’s premier and only nationwide Real Estate Developer which was established in 1955 as the Gold Coast Housing Corporation to plan, develop and manage housing estates throughout the country, has since established 94 housing estates comprising 31,407 housing units nationwide.
To offset the huge housing deficit currently facing the country, the State Housing Company Limited has planned to redevelop some of its old housing estates at Kanda, Laterbiokorshie, and Kaneshie, all in Accra and then North Effiakuma Estates in Takoradi. The proposed redevelopment is intended to improve upon the living environment in the Estates as well as expand the existing housing stock to provide more housing units for the people.
Other proposed projects of SHCL which will soon take off include:
1. Ituma Housing Project (Shama District)
2. Asakae Housing project (Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis)
3. Elubo Housing Project (Jomoro District)
4. Refurbishment of all SHCL’s Guest Houses countrywide.
5. Improved Estates – Adenta, Teshie Nungua, etc
Mr Chairman, recently, we have seen significant improvement in the management of the State Housing Company under the able leadership and direction of His Excellency the President, through our Ministry. Notably, the recent launching of the Housing Development Fund and the National Housing Register are two of the innovative ways by which the Company is being turned around.
The Ministry has been arranging key strategic partnership between the SHC and a number of prospective investors/developers to deliver affordable housing to low income groups across the country.
iii. RENT CONTROL DEPARTMENT
The Rent Control Department was established by the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220), to mediate in cases involving landlords and tenants. For the period under review, the Department received 13,603 complaints out of which 2,875 have been disposed off with 10,728 outstanding. The existence of the Department has actually contributed tremendously to reducing the social tension that exists within the rent sub-sector in the country. To further promote social harmony in the rental housing sub-sector and also to make the sector attractive to investors, the Rent Act is being reviewed.
iv. PUBLIC SERVANTS HOUSING LOAN SCHEME BOARD (PSHLSB)
The Public Servant Housing Loan Scheme Board (PSHLSB), established by the National Redemption Council Decree (NRCD) 319, of 1975, seeks to assist public sector employees acquire their own houses. Since its inception, the scheme has been financing a number of dwelling houses for workers. During the year under review, the scheme was able to assist public sector employees to fully purchase thirty-two (32) houses. Additional loans were also advanced to 98 beneficiaries who have reached various levels of completion with regards to their housing projects. This year, Government has substantially increased the loan portfolio to the scheme.
v. TEMA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
The Tema Development Corporation (TDC) was set up by LI 469 of 1965 with the sole responsibility to plan and develop about 63 square miles of public land for various land uses. It was also set up to manage the Tema Township and provide accommodation for the numerous workers that had been employed by the industrial activities created by the construction of the Tema Port and VALCO.
During the year under review, TDC embarked on the development of Community 24, the last of its land acquisition, under the site and services scheme. A total of 509 acres will be covered under the project and it is expected to yield about 2,000 plots for residential, commercial and social facilities. Under this scheme, land would be developed with provision made for infrastructure services to facilitate construction by individuals and organizations.
In view of the above development, the following are being provided by TDC.
• 25km stretch of roads
• 39km of drain
• 35km of pipe work for water supply and distribution
• Electricity power supply and distribution.
All these are geared towards addressing the acute accommodation shortage in the country.
Mr. Chairman, in view of the fact that the acquisition area of TDC has been exhausted, it has become necessary to review the mandate of the Company. In this respect, the Ministry has prepared a Cabinet Memorandum to review the object of the existing LI with the view of addressing the acquisition of additional lands to expand their activities into other areas of the country and collaboration with other MMDAs as well as other real estate developers.
WORKS SECTOR
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Works function, performed by the Hydrological Services Department, Architects Registration Council, Engineers Council and the Public Works Department, includes the protection of the country’s coastlines, urban drainage to mitigate flood disasters, delivery of architectural and engineering services and the maintenance of government properties.
i. HYDROLOGICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
The Department has the responsibility for the protection of the country’s coastline, the construction and maintenance of storm drains, i.e., urban drainage to mitigate flood disasters. It also carries out the monitoring and evaluation of surface water in respect of floods.
• Urban Drainage For Flood Control Works
The Ministry through the Hydrological Services Department has over the years embarked on a wide–scale channel improvement programme in the form of channel deepening and widening of primary and secondary watercourses as well as the construction of various types of urban stormwater hydrological structures. The exercise is expected to keep all primary channels free from silt and debris to enhance the free and fast conveyance of flows from the urban areas.
Communities which benefited from the programme at the close of the last rainy season include Gbawe, Lafa area, Kasoa Iron City, Abeka Lapaz, Madina, Hatso, Ashongman, Ashaiman, Agbogba, Weija, Amrahia, Ningo, Prampram, Ada and Kpando.
• Construction of Stormwater Drainage
Ladies and Gentlemen, as part of Government’s efforts to protect life and property, the construction of urban stormwater drainage structures is being implemented in Nima, Sakaman, Goaso and Mim:
o Nima Drain - 250m length completed
o Sakaman Drain (Lots I and II) - 400m length completed.
o Goaso Drain - 200m length completed
o Mim Drain - 164m length completed
Work on the above projects is on-going.
The Ministry has completed plans to undertake major drainage projects in Ejura, Tepa, New Edubiase, Kumawu and Kumasi in the Ashanti Region; Swedru and Winneba in the Central Region; Asankragwa in the Western Region, Tamale in the Northern Region, and Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region, among others in the course of the year.
• Flood Early Warning Systems (FEWS)
Mr. Chairman, in mitigating flooding in the country, Government has commissioned a study to develop Flood Early Warning Systems for the three (3) Northern Regions following the recent flood events that affected life and property in the Regions. The Hydrological Services Department is collaborating with the Water Resources Commission to make use of flood models, developed by HKV Consultants, for Flood Early Warning System (FEWS).The real time data input for the models is provided by the Hydrological Services Department and the Ghana Meteorological Agency. With these models the Department would be able to forecast floods in the White Volta River Basin for disaster prevention and development in the three Northern Regions.
• Coastal Protection Works
Mr. Chairman, the following coastal protection projects which commenced in the last two years are ongoing:
i. Sakumono Sea Defence Project
The Sakumono Sea Defence Project commenced in November, 2011, and is expected to be completed by November, 2012. The scope of works is the Construction of Gabion Revetment with Armour Rock Toe and Backfilling over a coastal stretch of 1,500 metres. A stretch of 740 metres has been completed.
ii. Atorkor-Dzita-Anyanui Emergency Sea Defence Project (Phase I)
The Atorkor-Dzita-Anyanui Sea Defence Project started in June, 2010 and was completed in October, 2011. The scope of works was the Construction of an Armour Rock Revetment with graded filter layer, backfilling and base stabilization over a stretch of 2.5km; and the Re-construction of a 1.8km coastal road.
iii. Atorkor-Dzita-Anyanui Emergency Sea Defence Project (Phase II)
This Project commenced in January, 2012 and is expected to be completed by August, 2012. The scope of works is the Construction of a system of Armour Rock Groynes over a coastal stretch of 1.5km. Currently, about 600m representing 44% has been completed.
iv. Ada Sea Defence Project
The construction works under the Project started about a year ago upon the completion of the final designs. Currently, the construction of the site offices has been completed and about 90% of the rock materials for the construction of the System of Groynes have been stockpiled. The construction of the first armour rock Groyne is in progress.
v. Other Sea Defence Projects
The Ministry is in the process of undertaking Sea Defence projects at Mensah Guinea in the Greater Accra Region, Amanful-Kumah, Nkontompo and Ngyiresia in the Western Region in the near future. The procurement process is ongoing after which actual construction will commence.
ii. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
• Renovation
The Department is to renovate 60 No. Government Bungalows nationwide at a total cost of GHC1.5m from the 2012 Budget.
• Decentralisation
The Department, under the Local Service Delivery and Governance Programme (LSDGP) has received a grant of GHC 250, 000.00 from the Danish Government. Part of the grant has been used to develop 3No. Technical Manuals namely;
i. Technical Specification for building works,
ii. Code for design of buildings and
iii. Building Maintenance Manual.
These manuals have been distributed to districts in five (5) regions that are benefiting from the programme to enhance their infrastructural development. The beneficiary regions are Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, Northern and Volta.
• Consultancy
During the period under review, the Department has provided consultancy services to the following Government projects:
a. Keta Resettlement Housing Scheme.
In the 2012 budget, an amount of GHC2.5m was approved for the construction of 45No. houses as indicated below:
i. Type ‘A’ – 3
ii. Type ‘B’ – 32
iii. Type ‘C’ – 10
Contracts for the above projects have been awarded and construction works is about to commence.
b. Other consultancy works are:
i. School-Under-Trees Project,
ii. Office Block for Council of State,
iii. Renovation of some selected buildings for Achimota School,
iv. Office Block for Scholarship Secretariat
c. Inventory of Government Immovable Properties
The Ministry has set up a National Committee for the management of Government buildings and properties to among others, take inventory of all Government immovable properties delineating office and residential accommodation and other state properties.
As you may be aware, register of government buildings and land banks maintained by Public Sector institutions have over the years not been updated to reflect their current status.
This exercise will enable the Ministry embark on the following:
i. Develop a database on all state immovable properties
ii. Develop a maintenance plan for the Ministry
iii. Identify the legal occupants.
A pilot data collection has commenced in the following areas in Accra:
a. The Cantonments – Labone – Switch Back road Bungalows,
b. Osu residential (Ringway Estates) - Ridge - Asylum down Bungalows, and
c. Airport Residential and Roman Ridge Bungalows.
A sample Geographical Information System (GIS) has been used to capture information on some Bungalows on the Switch-Back road as a pilot.
iii. ARCHITECTS REGISTRATION COUNCIL OF GHANA(ARC)
The Architects Registration Council (ARC), established through the Architects Decree (NLCD 357) is the Governments’ regulatory body mandated to protect the client and national needs in the building and construction industry, uphold the integrity of the profession and adhere to professional standards by ensuring high quality professional and technical education, practice and conduct.
The Council’s work this past year has focused on regulating the architectural profession and building draughtsmanship vocation towards a sustainable built environment. Proactive measures taken include building capacity of architects and technicians to offer cutting edge services to government and the general public. In August this year, 55 new architects will be inducted into the professional arena. This brings to 816, the number of professionally trained architects in the country.
The Council has also contributed in various ways towards national policy development especially on works and housing, and advocating for implementation of government policy in the built environment sector.
• National Board of Control for Building Technicians and Draughtsmen (NBOC)
The Ministry in 2011 set up the National Board of Control for Building Technicians and Draughtsmen (NBOC) under the ARC to regulate the activities of building technicians and draughtsmen. Registration of the building technicians and draughtsmen is ongoing and committees of the Board are engaged in categorising members and defining terms of the vocation.
iv. ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES LIMITED (AESL)
The Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL) is a practising group of consulting Engineers, Architects and Surveyors wholly owned by government. Presently, the AESL has been involved in the implementation of the School-Under-Trees project and provision of infrastructure for Senior High Schools throughout the country and completion of the Flag Staff House project.
Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you all for your attention.
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