The Affordable Housing project at Asokore Mampong in the Ashanti has been completed and named after the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Started in 2006, the project, which was one of the government’s comprehensive affordable housing initiatives, stalled in 2009.

However, in 2015, the government handed it over to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to complete.

It is to provide accommodation to low and middle income-workers, create jobs and build the capacity of local contractors.

Facilities

The gated community consists of 91 blocks of 1,024 housing units of one and two-bedroom flats set on a well-landscaped environment.

The facility has a police station and community shops and is managed by a facility manager.

It is equipped with complementary infrastructures such as tarred internal road network with drains, paved walkway, and paved car parks.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic at the site last Tuesday, the Kumasi Area Manager of SSNIT, Mr. Alhassan A. Mahamadu, explained that the project was named after the Asantehene in recognition of his tremendous support and commitment towards its completion.

“The facility is one of the best because of its centralized water reservoir and centralized biogas sewage treatment system,” he said.

Mr. Mahamadu said the units would be put out for sale.

Deficit

The manager attributed the increasing housing deficit in the country to high population growth, urbanization and less supply of housing units to meet demand.

“With growing demand comes the housing affordability debate. Many people believe that affordable houses are scarce in Ghana. With housing deficit of 1.7 million, 90 per cent of all housing supply in Ghana is built incrementally,” he added.

According to Mr. Mahamadu, the investment in the project was a testament to the commitment of the Trust in helping to reduce the housing deficit in Ghana.

“The investment in real estate includes a long-term investment strategy for the sustenance of the Pension scheme,” he added.