The government is finalising documentation to commence work on the construction of affordable housing project in the Ahafo Region, Dr (Mrs) Freda Prempeh, the Minister of State in charge of Works and Housing has said.

She explained that the State Housing Company (SHC) had secured 250 acres of land at Duayaw-Nkwanta (100 acres), Tanoso (50 acres) and Yamfo (100 acres) in the Tano North Municipality and contracts would be awarded for work to begin by the close of the year.

The Minister expressed appreciation to the chiefs and people of the towns for releasing lands, saying the nationwide affordable housing project would help address the two million housing deficit in the country.

Dr (Mrs) Prempeh, also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North Constituency, said this when she led a delegation from the SHC and paid courtesy calls on the Duayaw-Nkwanta and Yamfo Traditional Councils in the Region on Friday.

The delegation included Mr Roni Nicol, the Deputy Managing Director of the SHC, Mr Kobina Afoah Imbeah, Operations Manager, Mr Nii Adjetey Boye, Deputy Head of Operations, Mr Seth Dzotepe, Acting Ashanti Zonal Manager and Mr Emmanuel Kwadwo Kusi, Quality Surveyor.

The Chiefs later led the delegation to inspect the lands earmarked for the projects in the two towns.

Dr (Mrs) Prempeh told the Traditional Council members that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has declared 2021 as the year of infrastructure development, adding, contracts on many of the affordable housing projects would be awarded for work to begin this year.

This would greatly help the nation address her two million housing deficit and make housing affordable to public and civil servants, she added.

On his part, Mr Nicol explained that the housing projects would create direct and indirect jobs for the local people, saying most of the labour force would be engaged from the local communities.

He said economic activities in the areas would thrive because the SHC would ensure that contractors procure building and construction materials from dealers around the enclaves.

Mr Nicol said construction works on the affordable housing projects had already started, and progressing steadily in the Central, Upper East, Eastern, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Volta and Western North Regions.

He said land litigations had delayed execution of the projects in parts of the country, and appealed to the affected traditional authorities to address land litigations for the project to commence in those areas.