320 housing units handed over to Police Service

By Daniel NONOR, Accra

A total of 320 new housing units have been handed over to the Ghana Police Service in a major move by the government to improve the living conditions and welfare of security personnel in the country.

The units are part of the broader Security Services Housing Project, which seeks to provide decent and affordable housing for the nation’s dedicated security personnel.

The project, launched in 2018, aimed at addressing the housing deficit within the security services.

168 housing units for NIB under phase 1

Phase I, completed in 2014, provided 168 units for the Bureau of National Investigations in Tema.

368 housing units for Navy under Phase II

Phase II, completed in 2018, delivered 368 units for the Ghana Navy at Tema Newtown.

320 housing units for police under Phase III

The newly completed Phase III comprises 320 housing units located at the Tesano Police Training School. These units include 112 two-bedroom apartments and 208 three-bedroom apartments, along with additional facilities such as an officers’ mess, a social center, two multipurpose playing courts, and a kindergarten.

Modern, well-equipped facilities

These modern, well-equipped facilities are designed to enhance the quality of life for police officers and their families, creating an environment conducive to their operational readiness and motivation.

At the commissioning ceremony, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo emphasized the importance of this milestone as a testament to his government’s determination to improve the living standards of security personnel and a key step forward in the national quest for enhanced security and safety.

He said the new housing units are part of the ongoing efforts to ensure that those who risk their lives daily to protect the nation have safe and comfortable homes.

“These 320 housing units symbolize our resolve to ensure that those who risk their lives daily to protect us have a safe and comfortable place to call home,” President Akufo-Addo said. The President underscored the significance of adequate housing for security personnel, noting that it enhances morale and significantly improves effectiveness in maintaining law and order.

“When our police officers have access to decent accommodation, it enhances their morale and improves considerably their effectiveness in maintaining law and order. A well-housed police force is a more motivated and productive one,” he remarked.

President Nana Addo also took the opportunity to congratulate Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr. Christian Tete-Yuhonu on his elevation to the Office of Deputy Inspector General of Police. He expressed confidence in Deputy IGP Yuhonu’s ability to contribute significantly to the efficiency of the police service. The President noted further that the initiative reflects a commitment to ensuring every Ghanaian has access to decent and affordable housing.

“This project is a reflection of our broader agenda to ensure that every Ghanaian, regardless of their profession or rank, has access to decent and affordable housing,” he stated.

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister for Works and Housing, in his address, noted the efforts and achievements of President Akufo-Addo’s administration in expanding housing provision, particularly for security services, since assuming office in 2017. He explained that since 2017, the administration has focused on providing housing for security services, following the ethos of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to enrich the lives, property, and liberty of citizens.

Over 1,000 housing units for security services since 2017

He said the current project brings the total number of homes provided for security services to 1,000 since 2017.

1,700 TDC affordable houses

Furthermore, some 1,700 affordable homes have been built by the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) in Kpone for health workers, doctors, nurses, and other public servants.

405 homes by National Home Ownership Fund

Additionally, 405 homes have been constructed by the National Home Ownership Fund in Community 22.

822 housing units by State Housing Company

Additionally, the State Housing Company has put up 822 homes in various locations.

600 homes for civil servants

Again, nearly 600 homes for civil servants are currently being redeveloped in Accra through the Bungalow Redevelopment Programme.

8,000 homes at Pokuase, 200 homes in Amranhia

He added that work has commenced on 8,000 homes in the Pokuase enclave and 200 extra homes in Amranhia.

He noted that the ministry is also securing funding to complete stalled projects, including the Koforidua affordable housing project, the Saglemi project, and the Adenta SHC project.

Additionally, a new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework is being developed to incentivize private sector involvement in housing, pending approval from the President.

He emphasized that “the resources which have been raised or borrowed by the Akufo-Addo administration have been put to judicious use in projects such as this.”

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, on his part thanked the President for his commitment towards the welfare of personnel of the Ghana Police Service.

He noted that as part of promoting the legacy of the President, the Police Service would team up with their sister security agencies to ensure that the 2024 elections are held in a peaceful manner.

He recounted some major initiatives implemented by the government to ensure that the Police Service is adequately resourced to deliver on its mandate.

Key amongst them are those that border on their welfare and the establishment of the Police Health Fund that ensures that personnel now can easily access healthcare both locally and outside the country.