President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has inaugurated the Affordable Housing Project at Asokore-Mampong in the Ashanti Region, meant to provide affordable accommodation to the public.

Named Otumfuo Osei Tutu Housing Estates after the Asantehene, the 1,021 housing units were started about 13 years ago, and given life when the government worked with the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to complete it, not only as part of the solution to the nation’s housing needs, but also as an investment asset for the scheme.

It is made up of 336 one-bedroom and 691 two-bedroom apartments, and situated on a 50-acre plot of 91 blocks, with 26 shops.

It is a part of the government’s housing projects around the country, with others sited at Borteyman and Kpone in the Greater Accra Region; Koforidua in the Eastern Region, Tamale in the Northern Region, and Wa in the Upper West Region.

The Affordable Housing Project is intended to provide accommodation for low and middle-income workers, and build the capacity of local contractors, among others.

Great day

At last Thursday’s ceremony, President Akufo-Addo said it was “a very good day for me” because he was able to bring finality to two projects initiated by then President John Kufuor, who formed a government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The other project is the Boankra Inland Port, which started about 18 years ago.

The President commended the management of SSNIT, which took over the project two years ago, for an excellent job of “bringing onto the market, truly affordable houses”.

A two-bedroom unit is priced at GH¢186,500, while a one-bedroom special cost GH¢142,500, and a one-bedroom standard going for GH¢98,500.

“So, as you can see, these are very reasonable prices, and they are genuinely affordable housing and the icing on the cake is, this entire estate is named after the illustrious Asantehene, whose reign has been truly remarkable: Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,” he said.

SSNIT

The Director General of SSNIT, Dr John Ofori-Tenkorang, said the completion of the project would bring relief to the residents of Kumasi and partly solve the housing deficit facing the country.

He said the gated community was set out in a well laid out environment, with street lights and car parks.

The facility also has a centralised water reservoir, centralised biogas sewage treatment system and a community police station.

It also has seven fire hydrants strategically distributed, and a manager to run the facility.

Another development

In another development, the people of Foase in the Atwima Kwanwoma Municipality held a durbar in honour of the President.

At the durbar, the Chief of Foase, Nana Frimpong Appiah Ampam II, pleaded with the government to tar the roads in the town, saying they were in a deplorable state.

He also appealed to the government for support to complete some of the developmental projects, including a clinic, initiated by the traditional rulers.

Nana Ampam also released a 40-acre plot to the state to be used for training institutions, and appealed to the President to consider setting up either a nursing training college or a college of education in the area.