The Ghana Real Estates Developers Association (GREDA) is questioning the criteria used by the government in awarding a housing contract to the SNECOU Group of Companies of Nigeria.

GREDA says it is not surprised that the Water Resources, Works and Housing Ministry has for the third time, sidelined the association with regards to another housing deal.

Last Friday, a new housing deal worth 200 million dollars was tabled before parliament for approval which includes the participation of a Ghanaian company, Italconstruct International.

Civil society organization, IMANI Ghana, is already raising some concerns about the deal. General Secretary of GREDA, Samuel Amegayibor, told XYZ News that the government must tread cautiously.

GREDA is not against the government engaging any entity in the affordable housing [sector]. In-fact we are always happy to hear that government is making an effort to reduce the housing deficit. It is just the method and the approach that we some times get concerned about.”

He however called on organisations who are criticizing the proposed document to do so in good faith and not for the sake of criticizing.

Samuel Amegayibor said GREDA is unhappy with the fact that the Housing Ministry is not engaging the Association over housing matters, stressing that their input could be of immense support to the ministry when sought.