African Home Building News 31/07/25

The Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS) has called on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to urgently revive efforts to pass the Surveying Council Bill, which lapsed with the previous Parliament. The institution stressed that the bill is essential for strengthening regulatory oversight, promoting professionalism, and safeguarding public interest in land, property, and infrastructure development.

GhIS President, Mr. Kofi Obeng-Ayirebi, made the appeal on Monday during a visit by the national executive team to members in the Central Region. The visit formed part of efforts to promote inclusiveness, decentralisation, and regional involvement in advancing the surveying profession across the country.

IMANI Centre for Policy and Education has clarified that the government has not imposed a GH¢95 cement price cap, countering widespread misinformation. Following discussions with Roads Minister Kwame Agbodza, IMANI confirmed that only non-binding price targets exist.

The clarification comes as the government drafts a Legislative Instrument to empower the Ghana Standards Authority to regulate cement prices. IMANI warns this move could harm consumers and producers by distorting the market, discouraging investment, and pushing out smaller businesses. The think tank points to underlying issues such as forex volatility, import duties, high transport costs, and electricity tariffs as the real drivers of cement prices.

Bright Simons, Vice President of IMANI Africa, has sharply criticised Ghana’s stalled Saglemi Affordable Housing Project, calling it a symbol of governance failure where political motives trump strategic planning. In a policy brief, he described the $200 million project as a “case study in systemic dysfunction,” noting it produced only 1,506 uninhabitable units instead of the planned 5,000.

Simons revealed that $180 million was paid to the contractor, Construtora OAS Ghana, but an additional $115 million is now needed to make the units livable—pushing the cost per unit above $200,000, far beyond affordable levels. He pointed out inconsistencies in Ghana's legal approach: while criminal charges against local officials were dropped, the country is pursuing international arbitration against the contractor, who is also seeking $180 million in damages.

He warned that this contradictory stance could weaken Ghana’s arbitration case and highlighted the project as part of a broader issue of policy discontinuity and weak institutional memory. With a housing deficit of 1.8 million, Simons called for transparent procurement, cost control, and citizen-driven accountability to prevent similar failures.

Housing Plus Group, now one of the largest housing associations in the West Midlands following its January 2025 merger with The Wrekin Housing Group, has been recognised for completing 561 homes in 2024–25. These include 388 affordable or social rent homes, 115 low-cost ownership units, and 58 market-sale properties.

With over 33,000 homes across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, and Staffordshire, the Group plans to build 1,000 new affordable homes annually. Major developments include the £18.6m William Farr House in Shrewsbury, providing 76 apartments for over-55s, and 64 new homes in Ellesmere.During the year, the Group invested £84m in new housing, including the £19.1m Hazelwood extra care scheme in Whitchurch and the £4m Mount Close project in Pontesbury.

Source : Joucelyn Marigold -Africa Home Building News