The Vice President and Chairman of the Ghana Armed Forces Dr Mahamudu Bawumia while commissioning a Naval Barracks for the Ghana Armed Forces has stated that, the Barracks could not have at any better time.

The Barracks is the first of its kind in the Ghana Navy. The Navy is the only arm of the Ghana Armed Forces without Barracks, compelling the Personnel in the Navy to live in rented houses in the capital city.

The Vice President stated in his delivery message that,  “it is the only service within the Ghana Armed Forces, which does not have a well-planned Barracks”.

“This unfortunate situation has compelled most naval personnel to stay in rented civilian accommodation scattered all over Accra and Tema, and to compound the situation, this has made it difficult to mobilise personnel at short notice to respond to emergencies thereby negatively affecting operational effectiveness,” the Vice President added.

The Barracks is expected to house 368 families and has 23 blocks with 8 of the blocks being a three-bed room houses and the rest of the 215 being a two-bed room houses.

The Barracks is as well furnished with a multi-purpose sports facility and a playing ground for personnel and their families.

Speaking on, the Vice President said, the Akufo Addo administration is putting in place to cut down housing deficit the country is confronted with.

He indicated, “The country’s housing deficit is in excess of 1.7 million units and this is expected to rise to two million by 2020, if swift measures are not taken,”

Dr Bawumia further added that, “It is also estimated that over 50 million Ghanaians live in sub-standard houses, dilapidated inner city dwellings, uncompleted houses, shops, kiosks and other unsuitable structures.”

He added that, the supply of houses needed in the country falls far below the number required, indicating that while the country recives a supply of 35,000 to 40,000 per year, the actual number needed is 170,000 adding that the Ministry of Works and Housing is putting in all the efforts it can to meet the requirements of the country.

Moreover, the Vice President stated that, the current government is discussing with  Messrs Sinohydro Corporation Limited, a construction company for the building of 40,000 houses for GAF, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prison Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service and the Judicial Service.

He added that the Amandi Holdings have been asked to commence the Phase Three of the Security Housing Project for the Ghana Police Service.

Rear Admirel Kofi Faidoo, the Chief of Naval Staff thanked the government for the efforts made to house the Navy

“I must say, that it is going to bring significant relief not only to the Ghana Navy as a Service, but also to personnel who will be privileged to occupy the flats,” he said.

The Minister of Defence Dominic Nitiwul has also told thew Navy that the facility should be maintained in other to prolong its lifespan.

Speaking also at the event was the Deputy Minister of the Work and Housing, Hon. Freda Prempeh who added that,  the government is about to start construction of affordable housing units at Bolgatanga, Cape Coast, Ho, Takoradi and Sunyani.

The estimated cost of the project is $39 million and it is located at the Eastern Naval Base, it was constructed and completed by Amandi Housing Holdings Limited.

Ghanaguardian.com