Phase two of slum-upgrading project for Ashaiman to start soon

By: Benjamin Xornam Glover/ Daily Graphic / Ghana | Wednesday, 19 February 2014

Government, with support from the United Nations Habitat (Ghana), has announced plans to embark on the second phase of upgrading of slums in the Ashaiman municipality to improve the lives of the people. Already, 31 families have benefited from the first phase of the project which was implemented in 2010 by replacing their dilapidated shacks with improved housing options. An amount of $400,000 has been earmarked to kick-start phase two of the project. The Deputy Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Sampson Ahi, disclosed this when he, together with the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ashaiman, Mr Ibrahim Baidoo, inspected the project site at Ashaiman. Mr Ahi expressed optimism about the reality of the project to ensure a well-planned community and added that government was determined to improve slum settlements in Ghana. He allayed the fears of the inhabitants regarding their safety and stressed that all efforts had been made to ensure that no one was displaced in the process of implementing the project. "We are working with the municipal assembly to ensure a successful implementation of the project. Our presence here is to meet all the stakeholders to discuss all the loose ends, especially issues regarding access to the land, and once that is sorted out, work will commence," he said. The MCE for Ashaiman, described the project as a positive intervention which, when implemented, will go a long way to bring relief to the people. He said phase one was a great success, and appealed to the inhabitants to cooperate with the government, since every effort would will be made to ensure that nobody was denied his or her livelihood. "The necessary consultation will be made and once funding is available, we are hopeful that phase two will be a success," he said. The MCE said the project, when completed, would provide infrastructural facilities such as drains, streetlights and roads to improve the living condition of the residents. Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/17905-phase-two-of-slum-upgrading-project-for-ashaiman-to-start-soon.html