In a landmark move to address pressing housing and flooding issues, Ghana has inaugurated the Built Environment National Conference on Housing and Hydrology (BENCHH) 2024.
The three-day event, held at the Labadi Beach Hotel, was opened by Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, the Minister for Works and Housing.
At the opening ceremony, Minister Oppong-Nkrumah launched the Ghana Hydrological Fund, a crucial initiative aimed at reducing flood risks and enhancing water management nationwide.
He emphasized the urgent need for sustainable funding to tackle Ghana’s chronic flooding problems and announced a seed funding of GH¢1.5 million allocated by the government.
“The government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing, has prioritized an allocation of 1.5 million Ghana Cedis as seed money for the fund,” stated the Minister.
He called on all stakeholders, including development partners, to support the fund, highlighting its importance in fast-tracking essential projects such as drainage construction and dredging.
Minister Oppong-Nkrumah highlighted the severe flooding issues Ghana faces, particularly during the rainy season. He pointed out that inadequate drainage infrastructure and the growing impacts of climate change have exacerbated the problem.
Only 2% of the drainage channels in the Greater Accra Region requiring concrete lining have been completed, indicating a critical need for comprehensive action.
The fund, according to the Minister, is designed to provide a structured financial mechanism to accelerate necessary projects, directly tackling the country’s flooding challenges.
Beyond addressing flooding, the conference also focused on Ghana’s significant housing deficit, currently estimated at 1.8 million units.
Minister Oppong-Nkrumah acknowledged the challenges faced in affordable housing programs due to funding constraints and delays in project completion, including unfinished projects from previous administrations.
He advocated for strong public-private partnerships and incentives for private developers to undertake large-scale affordable housing projects, aiming to mitigate the housing shortfall.
The BENCHH 2024 conference will cover a range of topics, including regulatory reforms and the establishment of a Works Inspectorate Unit to ensure compliance with building and safety standards. The Ministry plans to present comprehensive reports on government initiatives, achievements, and challenges, seeking innovative solutions from stakeholders.
Minister Oppong-Nkrumah expressed optimism about the outcomes of BENCHH 2024, emphasizing the potential for collaborative efforts to drive substantial progress in Ghana’s built environment sector.
He encouraged participants to engage actively in discussions and contribute their expertise to develop actionable strategies that comprehensively address the nation’s housing and hydrology challenges.