REVIEW LAND TENURE-AKUFO ADDO

06/03/08
The Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo has called for a review of the land tenure system in the country to make land more accessible to the ordinary Ghanaian especially estate developers.
He said the present system makes it very difficult and cumbersome for people to acquire lands to build their houses or farm.
Nana Akuffo-Addo made the call at a meeting with the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA) in Accra last Friday.
He said the housing industry plays a critical role in the development of the country and every effort ought to be made to enable them maximise their full potential.
He said infrastructure is of grave concern to the government because it makes development meaningful and the government is considering buying land so that the developers will be free of all problems associated with land acquisition and bridge the housing dificit in the country.
The flag bearer indicated that the development of every nation is where its citizenry are well housed, clothe and fed.
He said the time has come for the country to wean itself from donor funds and hand outs should be a thing of the past.
On his part, the minister of Finance, Mr Baah Wiredu advised the developers not to centre their operations in the capital but should expand it to the other regions.
He said with the discovery of the oil in the western region they explore the possibility of shifting their attention there before any foreigner takes the opportunity.
He said the government has reduce taxes on raw materials imported into the country to enable the private sector to grow.
Mr Baah Wiredu said the impact of the influx of foreign banks in the country is now being felt because they have brought stiff competition into the market and some are currently providing affordable financing to people to enable them buy homes.
The Minister advised the developers to take full advantage of the new challenges and services being offered by the banks to enable them build more affordable houses for the good people of this nation.
He said sound macro economy is crucial to the development of the nation and a precondition for growth adding that ‘the biggest achievement of the government is by ensuring a sound macro economy in the country”.
He indicated that for the whole framework of the housing delivery to be enhanced there is the need to build the capacities of all spheres of the nation.
The President of GREDA, Dr Alexander Tweneboa said the association will be celebrating its 20th year this year and this is the first time an aspirant has taken it upon himself to meet with developers.
He said this shows that Nana Akuffo Addo is giving meaning to the private sector being an engine of growth in the country and the potential housing has for the socio economic development of the country in terms of attracting investment and providing a stable social climate for economic growth and progress.
Dr Tweneboa assured the aspirant that the developers are ready to co-operate and partner with government and any other bodies to greatly enhance the delivery capacity of houses in both the urban and rural areas.
He said GREDA believes that housing can become the country’s vital engine room for growth, employment, economic prosperity and stability.
He said “the only way that we can make significant inroads in the chronic housing deficit is by private participation and government should play the role of a facilitator and create a conducive enabling environment for the private real estate developers to develop a strong private sector participation housing delivery in the country.