Saglemi: Group opposes sale of housing project
A group calling itself “Team Saglemi Not for Sale” is voicing its opposition to the Ghanaian government’s intention to sell over 1,500 housing units to a private developer due to a lack of funds to complete the project.
The group believes that the government should seek funding to complete the project and sell affordable housing units to ordinary Ghanaians to bridge the housing deficit.
The group is concerned that selling Saglemi to a private developer defeats the purpose of affordability, which is the primary reason why the loan was contracted to help in building affordable housing to ease accommodation deficit.
The Saglemi housing project, located in the Greater Accra region, has been a controversial project for the Ghanaian government for nearly six years.
The project, which was initiated by the previous government, has been dormant due to a lack of funds to complete it. The government of Ghana, under the leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo, has made the decision to dispose of the project due to the same reason.
However, “Team Saglemi Not for Sale” is opposing the government’s decision, arguing that the $200 million invested in the project would better serve the needs of ordinary people if the government commits to finishing it.
The group is calling on the government to seek funding to complete the project and sell the housing units to ordinary Ghanaians at an affordable price to ease the country’s accommodation deficit.
During a press conference in Accra, Nana Otu Darko, the group’s convenor, warned private developers who intend to take over the project to stay off, and pledged to compel the government to cancel such a contract.
He also sent a strong signal of warning, stating that any private developer who ventures into taking over the project does so at their own peril.
The Saglemi housing project was initially meant to provide affordable housing for low- and middle-income earners in Ghana.
The government secured a $200 million loan from Credit Suisse AG to build the housing units. However, the project stalled due to mismanagement and lack of funds, leading to a controversy that has lasted for years.
The current government’s decision to dispose of the project has been met with mixed reactions from Ghanaians.
While some believe that selling the project to a private developer will lead to its completion and make the housing units available to the public, others, including “Team Saglemi Not for Sale,” believe that the government should seek funding to complete the project and sell the units to ordinary Ghanaians at an affordable price.
The Ghanaian government has not yet responded to the group’s call, but it remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved, given the importance of affordable housing in the country.
