Kumasi, Oct. 4, GNA - Mr Alban S.K. Bagbin, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, has said government would continue with the construction of the 4,720 affordable housing unit projects initiated by the previous government.

It was also determined to bringing into fruition the STX Housing Project which aimed at providing substantial affordable housing for majority of the people, he said.

Speaking at the celebration of this year's World Habitat Day at Asokore Mampong in Kumasi, Mr Bagbin said the National Housing Policy, which had undergone a strategic environmental assessment, was ready for validation and would go a long way to solving the myriad of problems in the housing sector to ensure better and secured cities.

The theme for the celebration was; "Better City, Better Life." Mr Bagbin noted that from the 2000 census, it was reported that the urban population shot up by 44 per cent and that it was expected to further increase to 55.4 per cent by the year 2015 without corresponding increase of housing for the people.

The Minister explained that "the city has become a magnet of hope as that is where everyone expects to find the heartbeat of trade, industry and construction and its spin-offs such as jobs for both menial and skilled personnel".

He expressed concern that the cities and towns were sprawling uncontrollably and thereby creating new challenges in addition to the unplanned nature of settlements. Mr Bagbin said most of the cities lacked proper layouts, zoning and structural designs which had created chaotic communities and congestion, resulting in slums and poor access to social and infrastructural services.

He said the policy of the government therefore was to use urbanization as a catalyst for economic growth, socio-cultural improvement and the enhancement of the quality of life of the people while ensuring environmental sustainability.

The Minister noted that the majority of the population was within the lower income group who could not mobilize the right levels of savings or credit to build their own houses or even meet the high rent demands by landlords.

There is therefore the need for the government to assist to provide decent and affordable houses to majority of the people. Mr Bagbin called on the private sector to partner with government in the provision of housing and water facilities for the people. Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said the Ministry in collaboration with other ministries, is spearheading the development of a comprehensive National Urban Policy to give a clear focus on urban development and management. The final draft on the policy, he said, was in place and would be submitted to Cabinet by the end of October for approval. Besides, the ministry is collaborating with the French Development Agency

to initiate the Ghana Urban Management Pilot Project in Kumasi, Tamale, Sekondi -Takoradi and Ho, he said.

Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah, Asokore Mamponghene, who chaired the function, commended the government for its efforts to continue with the construction of the housing project at Asokore Mampong to provide accommodation for the people in the metropolis.