The Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Alban S. Bagbin has advised real estate developers to respect building codes and regulations that prohibit building on water ways and locations earmarked for government projects.
He said the increasing pressures on land and demand for houses should not be any reason for developers to make short cuts to build anywhere and anyhow.
“It is necessary that members of the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA) and other private developers comply with the needed regulations, failure of which aids the fast expansion of slums and illegal structures, scattered all over the city,” he stressed.
Mr Bagbin said these in a speech, read on his behalf, by Mr Clement T. Bugase, acting Chief Executive Officer of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, (CWSA) at the third Ghana Property Awards 2010 ceremony, in Accra, at the weekend.
The event was on the theme: “Effectiveness of Ghana’s Real Estate Regulations under Imperfect Enforcement and Firms’ Avoidance Behaviour.”
Azar Chemicals Industries Limited, won the 2010 Ultimate award with the Omanhene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Osagyefo Amoateng Ofori Panin, receiving the Recognition Award – Ecological Environmental Excellence Award.
Mr Bagbin said the Ministry was very much aware of the challenges facing the real estate industry, “prominent among them are difficulties in accessing unencumbered land, access to finance, high cost of mortgage, litigations arising from multiple sales of land, lack of skilled labour and allied issues.”
The Minister said coupled with these challenges is the frightening hike in the level of housing deficit in the country, with a conservative estimate of one million, and still rising.
“It is incumbent upon all stakeholders in the housing and construction industry to redouble our efforts at finding ways of reversing this trend,” he stressed.
The Bagbin said the Government would continue to build on the successes already chalked in land reforms that include launching of the Land Administration Project and Inventory of State and vested lands, which would go a long way to eliminate the bottlenecks facing real estate developers.
The Minister said, “It is therefore incumbent upon all housing providers to seek expert advice from the built environment professionals in the course of their businesses.”
“It is in the interest of all, both real estate developers and home owners, to ensure that structures put up for human habitation have received the required approval or certification from such professional bodies.”
Dr Alex Twenebuah, Chairman of GREDA, advised all members to adhere to the ethics governing the Association to ensure that decent housing and properties are constructed under the laws of the industry.
He urged members to also endeavour to team up to ensure that regulations governing the property market have some impact on their produce to give hope and credibility to real estate consumers.
Among the award winners of the year are Edern Security - Property Security Company, MANET Towers Limited - Office Developer, Accra Shopping Mall – Retail Developer, DEVTRACO Limited – Property Management, MARINA Park – Leisure Development, ALISA Hotel – Hotel Developer and Dr Theresah Berkoh- Manet – Property Personality.
The rest are Interface Limited – Property Inputs Supplier, Blue Rose Construction - Property Developer; Mass Housing, KOANS Building Solutions – Property Re-development, Meridian Apartments – Developer; Condominium, TRASACCO – Developer; One-off-Project.
Those who received Recognition Awards included: TAYSEC Construction, ATALA Limited and Interplast Limited.
An exhibition of products of the various companies and members of GREDA preceded the Awards Night at the State House, Accra.