The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has commissioned 320 new houses for use by personnel of the Ghana Police Service.
Located on the precincts of the National Police Academy Training School, Tesano, Accra, the houses were commissioned on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at a brief ceremony.
COMPONENTS
The 320 new housing units at the Tesano Police Training School include 122 two-bedroom type A and 208 three-bedroom type B apartments.
There is also an Officer’s Mess, a social centre, two multiple-purpose playing courts, and a kindergarten school.
IMPACT
In his address at the commissioning ceremony, President Akufo-Addo indicated that the project will have a positive impact on the police community. He said it will serve as a model for other security services and illustrate dedication to delivering high-quality housing solutions that meet current standards of comfort, sustainability and safety.
“The benefits of this ambitious project extend beyond providing shelter. It also improves the quality of life for our police officers and their families, creating a sense of security and stability that I am confident will be reciprocated in their wholehearted enthusiasm to duty,” he remarked.
HOUSING PROJECT
The 320 new housing units project is part of the Akufo-Addo government’s Security Services Housing Project, which began in 2018, is aimed at providing decent housing for the men and women in black uniform.
The President stated that the programme, spearheaded by the Ministry of Works and Housing, through its housing directory, has seen the successful delivery of 536 housing units under phases one and two.
According to the President, phase one entailed the construction of 168 housing units for the then Bureau of National Investigations in Tema, which started in 2012 and was completed in 2014.
Phase two involved the construction of 368 housing units for the Ghana Navy in Tema New Town and was completed in 2018.
MOTIVATION
President Akufo-Addo asserted that a well-housed police force was more motivated and productive.
He added that the new housing units meant that the government was taking a crucial step towards creating an environment that allowed the police to focus on its critical duties, rather than worry about their living conditions.
He said that the government recognised the challenges faced by police officers and their families and was determined to provide solutions that would alleviate those difficulties.
The Tesano Housing Project, the President opined, “is a reflection of our broader agenda to ensure that every Ghanaian, regardless of their profession or rank, has access to decent and affordable housing.”
OTHER PROJECTS
The Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, indicated that the units at Tesano, which is the third phase of the security services housing project, bring to a total of 1,000 homes for the security services since 2017.
He explained that those 1,000 homes are exclusive of the 1,700 affordable homes constructed by the Tema Development Corporation at Kpone, being occupied by health workers, doctors, nurses and other public servants.
“They are also exclusive of the 405 homes by the National Home Ownership in Community 22. These homes are also exclusive of the 822 homes that the State Housing Company has put up in various locations since 2017,” Kojo said.
He continued that, “they are also exclusive of the nearly 600 homes for civil servants currently under redevelopment through the Bungalow Redevelopment Programme here in Accra, led by the Ministry of Works and Housing.
“They are also exclusive of the 8,000 homes that work has commenced on in the Pokuase enclave and the 200 extra homes that the State Housing Company is constructing in Amrahia.”
LEGACIES
The Inspector General of Police, George Akuffo Dampare, in a welcome address highlighted what he described as some legacy projects of President Akufo-Addo in the police service.
He mentioned that the Akufo-Addo government has provided volumes of logistics, including “over 4,000 motorbikes spread across the length and breadth of this country.”
He also said that the police have been able to establish 181 regional formed police units made up of an average of 35 police officers with vehicles and motorcycles across the country.
“We can say that Ghana is at peace with itself when it comes to security, Mr. President, all because of you.”
