The Minister of Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has  commended Ghanaian building construction firm, Builders.Com, for the work it did in reconstructing houses at Appiatse following the devastating mine explosion that ravaged the town.

Following the tragic incident, the government initiated a plan to give the farming community a new lease of life and in April 2024, more than 124 completed housing units were handed over for occupancy.

Delivering the keynote address at the Busia Institute Lecture held at Takoradi Technical University (TaTU), Mr Oppong Nkrumah praised the CEO of Builders.Com, Nana Akua Dosoo Maafo, for the contributions to the reconstruction efforts, highlighting their role in providing shelter for the affected residents.

Lecture

The event, themed: "Housing the Future: Innovative Approaches to Rural Development in Ghana," attracted a number of dignitaries, industry players in the Western Region as well as students of the TaTU.

The dignitaries included the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah; the Vice-Chancellor of TaTU, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun; the Chairman of the Wassa Amenfi Traditional Area, Tetrete Okuamoah Sekyim II, and the Executive Director of the Busia Institute, Anane Agyei.

It provided a robust platform for discussing the strategic measures necessary to address housing challenges across the country.

Indigenous companies

Mr Oppong Nkrumah said the efforts by Builders.Com in the execution of the Appiatse project signifies an importance step for local companies demonstrating their capacity to deliver high-quality construction projects and contribute to national development.

It also underscores the government's commitment to supporting local businesses and promoting private sector involvement in addressing the country's housing challenges.

Among other things to support the local company, the Minister announced a flagship programme, the "District Housing Project," which he said was aimed at revolutionising the housing sector through private sector involvement in financing and construction.

The project, he stated will focus on green housing, utilising local, durable materials to ensure affordability and dignity.

Nana Akua Dosoo Maafo, on behalf of the private captains of industry in the housing and rural development sector, expressed deep joy over the government's new approaches towards housing in the country.

She said it was important that local companies received the support and backing from government in a partnership that inured to the benefit of both parties.

“Development is parternship. Local business need government support and backing in many areas to thrive, government also need the local companies to help drive the development agenda so we are excited about the new approaches towards resolving the housing issues in the country,” she stated.

The Executive Director of the Busia Institute, Anane Agyei, also expressed his delight at Builders.Com performance, stating that the company exemplifies the capabilities of Ghanaian companies in achieving remarkable success.