The annual JoyNews Ecobank Habitat Fair has the potential to help address significantly the over two million housing units’ deficit in the country, Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana, Daniel Sackey has disclosed.
This is due to the kind of platform provided by partners in finding solutions to the perennial housing challenge.
Speaking at a ceremony to launch this year’s JoyNews Ecobank Habitat Fair, Mr. Sackey expressed confidence that the event is a significant platform to provide solutions to the housing needs of the many house-seeking Ghanaians.
According to him, Ecobank Ghana which is the headline sponsor for this year’s event identify itself with national issues, and as such housing which is one of the major national challenges, is dear to the bank.
“We at Ecobank identify ourselves with issues of national interest and I dare say today one of the major issues of national interest is housing. And if you listen to the Finance Minister [Ken Ofori-Atta] recently, one of the key things he talked about is to make housing available and at affordable rate. So this is a major step, one bringing funding together and two working with the partners here.”
He further pointed out that “we believe that there is a unique proposition we [Ecobank Ghana] and partners are bringing to the table. At Ecobank, we have solutions for everybody.” Mr. Sackey pledged Ecobank’s commitment to work with as many workers as possible to realise their own dreams of owning houses comfortably, peacefully and happily.
Ecobank to offer swift financial solution for Ghanaians to own houses
Mr. Sackey also expressed confidence that his outfit is ready to support the government quest to address the huge housing deficit which require the construction of 100,000 housing units every year to bridge the gap in the not too distant future.
Using the Ghana Living Standards Survey carried out by the Ghana Statistical Service where the total stock of houses in Ghana in 2010 was 3.4 million housing units and 5.2 million housing units 10 years later, the Ecobank MD advocated for the use of workers pension as collateral for mortgage, to enable them own homes without going through stress.
“We are all aware that one of the hindrance to people not being able to access mortgages is the initial 20% deposit that is required. So, if you looking at a house that is even worth ¢100,000, then you need to raise ¢20,000; obviously, the ¢100,000 will not […]
