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Tag: Saglemi Housing

  • Saglemi Housing project to be handed to private developer in 2 weeks – Minister

    Saglemi Housing project to be handed to private developer in 2 weeks – Minister

    The Saglemi Housing Units are expected to be handed over to a private developer for redevelopment within the next 14 days as the government nears the final stages of negotiations.

    This development was announced by the Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, during a press briefing in Accra on Monday, September 30, 2024.

    This progress follows President Akufo-Addo’s approval of a framework for negotiations with successful bidders, in response to a request made by Minister Oppong Nkrumah last month.

    Initially conceived to deliver 5,000 affordable housing units, the Saglemi Housing Project had approximately $200 million in government financing. However, by the time the project was halted, only 1,506 units had been partially completed, and the development was deemed uninhabitable due to a lack of essential infrastructure such as water, electricity, and sanitation.

    A valuation by the Ghana Institute of Surveyors later determined that an additional $100 million would be required to complete the unfinished units, a sum the government was unable to provide.

    “Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Works and Housing to explore the possibility of selling the partially completed Saglemi Housing Project to a private sector entity to complete and sell the units without further government investment, and negotiations will be finalized within the next 14 days,” the minister stated.

    He further explained that under the approved framework, the current value of work done at Saglemi will be treated as government equity in the project, while the completion cost will be treated as the equity of the selected private partner in a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to be created for the project’s completion.

    Proceeds from the sale of the completed units will then be shared between the government and the private partner based on their respective stakes in the SPV.

    The minister revealed that five firms had submitted bids for the project, with two shortlisted for final negotiations: Quarm-LMI Consortium and Broll Ghana Ltd.

    Mr. Oppong Nkrumah’s remarks come at a time when Ghana faces a housing deficit of 1.8 million units, a marked improvement from 2.8 million in 2010.

    He underscored the need for innovative solutions to ensure that all citizens can access decent and affordable housing.

    “Housing is not just a necessity but a fundamental right,” he emphasized. “A secure, decent, and affordable home is essential to one’s well-being, providing a sense of security, dignity, and opportunities for growth and development.”

    In addition to the Saglemi project, the minister also touched on other stalled housing initiatives, including the Koforidua Affordable Housing Project, which has been handed over to the State Housing Company Limited for expedited construction.

    “This project aims to expedite construction while maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency,” he concluded.

  • Saglemi housing project to be completed by private investors – Housing Deputy Minister Designate

    Saglemi housing project to be completed by private investors – Housing Deputy Minister Designate

    The Deputy Minister Designate for Works and Housing, Dr. Prince Hamidu Armah, has announced the consideration of private investors in the Saglemi Housing Project.

    Recognizing the imperative of completing the project after significant state investments, Dr. Armah underscores the potential involvement of private sector entities as a viable avenue towards achieving the original objectives of the Saglemi Housing Project.

    Dr. Prince Hamidu Armah, has also urged the government to prioritize the conclusion of the Saglemi housing project.

    He stressed the importance of finalizing the project, emphasizing that significant state funds have already been invested in its construction.

    The Saglemi Housing Project, which commenced in 2016, faced delays following government concerns about its alignment with the best interests of Ghanaians.

    During his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Dr. Hamidu Armah mentioned that the government has instituted a technical committee to expedite actions aimed at completing the housing project.

    “The state has already invested so much money into Saglemi, and I think that it is important that we bring the original intent of the project to fruition. I understand that the ministry has already constituted a technical working committee to look at private sector participation in offloading the project and to ensure that the project is completed for it to be used.”

  • Saglemi trial will not be affected by death of contractor – Prosecution

    Saglemi trial will not be affected by death of contractor – Prosecution

    Deputy Attorney-General Alfred Tuah Yeboah has asserted that the demise of the contractor involved in the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project, Andrew Clocanas, will not impact the prosecution’s case.

    Mr Clocanas, who was standing trial alongside former Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing Alhaji Collins Dauda and three others, passed away at his residence in Accra in October of this year.

    Addressing the media, the deputy A-G clarified that the contractor’s death would not alter the substance of the case, and therefore, the trial would proceed.

    During a recent court appearance, Alhaji Dauda was absent, with his lawyer Thaddeus Sory explaining that he had received an emergency invitation to attend a Pan African conference in South Africa as part of parliamentary duties.

    The Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, questioned the accused’s ability to travel without a passport, as it had been deposited at the court registry as part of bail conditions.

    Mr Counsel Sory explained that an application had been filed for the accused to access his passport, but the travel arrangements were made before the hearing of the application, leading to the withdrawal of the application.

    During the same court session, the first prosecution witness, Rev. Stephen Yaw Osei, the acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Works and Housing, took the witness stand.

    He is expected to read his witness statement and undergo cross-examination. Alhaji Dauda, Dr Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, and Nouvi Tetteh Angelo, a director of RMS, are facing trial in connection with the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project.

  • Saglemi Housing case: Court questions how Collins Dauda travelled to South Africa when his passport has been seized w

    Saglemi Housing case: Court questions how Collins Dauda travelled to South Africa when his passport has been seized w

    Former Minister for Works and Housing, Collins Dauda, is in hot water for leaving Ghana without court permission.

    Dauda, facing prosecution for financial loss and related offenses in the Saglemi Housing Project, was required to seek court approval and passport release for travel.

    The High Court justice overseeing the trial, Justice Ernest Owusu-Dapaa, expressed astonishment at Dauda’s ability to travel without the court’s knowledge, considering his passport was in the court’s custody.

    The incident came to light when Dauda’s lawyer explained his absence, citing an emergency invitation for parliamentary duties in South Africa.

    The judge learned about the MP’s travel to South Africa when his lawyer, Thaddeus Sory, explained Dauda’s absence from proceedings on November 20, 2023.

    Sory stated that Dauda had an emergency invitation for a pan-African conference in South Africa related to parliamentary duties.

    The lawyer began the process to obtain Dauda’s passport from the court, but travel arrangements were made before the application hearing on November 17, 2023.

    The state prosecutor, Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, shared the judge’s surprise about the accused’s ability to travel without the court’s registry holding the passport.

    Obuobisa, the director of Public Prosecutions at the Office of the Attorney General, expressed concern that Dauda’s actions were troubling as he was required, as part of his bail conditions, to notify the court before travelling outside the jurisdiction.

    In the ongoing trial, the state has finally presented its case against the former housing minister and his three co-accused after several months of deferring due to the absence of its witnesses.

    The prosecution’s initial witness was Rev. Stephen Yaw Osei, the acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Works and Housing.

    Despite objections from the defense lawyers, the court adopted the chief director’s witness statement. The case has been adjourned to Tuesday, November 21, 2023, for the witness to read his statement.

  • Contractor who built Saglemi Housing project found in Airport apartment – ABC News reports

    Contractor who built Saglemi Housing project found in Airport apartment – ABC News reports

    Executive Chairman of Constructora OAS Ghana Ltd Andrew Clocanas., a company at the center of the controversial Saglemi Affordable Housing project, was discovered lifeless at his Airport Residential Apartment, ABC NEWS reports. The cause of death is suspected to be a heart attack, as he was found in his washroom beneath a shower.

    As per an inside source, Mr. Clocanas’s lifeless body was found at his residence, and emergency services were immediately alerted. Despite their efforts, they were unable to revive him. His body has since been transported to the Lashibi funeral home. In response to this tragic discovery, local authorities dispatched police officers to the scene for further investigations, where they interviewed individuals close to the case.

    It’s essential to note that Andrew Clocanas was still on trial in connection with the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project, a development that aimed to provide affordable housing solutions to Ghanaians. Other prominent figures standing trial alongside him include Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, a former Minister of Water Resources, Works, and Housing; Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, a former Chief Director of the ministry; Collins Dauda, former Minister of Works and Housing; and Nouvi Tettey Angelo, Chief Executive Officer and owner of Ridge Management Solutions Ghana Limited.

    The group is currently facing a total of 70 charges, as they are alleged to have willfully caused financial loss to the state regarding the approved $200 million budget for the Saglemi project. All accused parties have pleaded not guilty and were granted bail while awaiting trial.

    This unexpected turn of events leaves many questions unanswered and casts a shadow over the ongoing legal proceedings related to the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project. Further developments and details surrounding Andrew Clocanas’s passing are awaited as investigations continue.

  • State to call five witnesses to testify in Saglemi Housing trial

    State to call five witnesses to testify in Saglemi Housing trial

    The Prosecution in the Saglemi Housing trial involving Alhaji Collins Dauda, a former Minister of Water Resources, Works, and Housing, along with four other individuals, plans to present five witnesses to testify in the case.

    The expected duration of their evidence, including cross-examination by the defense, is estimated to be 1,952 hours.

    Justice Ernest Owusu Dapaah, a Justice of the Court of Appeal serving as an additional High Court judge, announced this following the completion of the Case Management Conference (CMC) and Case completion plan. The trial is scheduled to commence on July 10, 2023, with proceedings taking place on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

    The other accused persons in the case are Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, also a former Minister of Water Resources, Works, and Housing, Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, a former Chief Director, Mr. Andrew Clocanas, Executive Chairman of Construtora OAS Ghana Limited (4th Accused), and Nouvi Tetteh Angelo, Chief Executive Officer and owner of Ridge Management Solutions Ghana Limited (5th Accused).

    They are facing a total of 70 charges related to the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project. All of the accused have pleaded not guilty and have been granted bail.

    The charges against them include willfully causing financial loss to the state, amounting to over $200 million, which was approved for the project.

    Madam Hilda Craig, the Principal State Attorney, informed the Court that the first witness would submit 113 documents as evidence on behalf of the prosecution. Rev. Osei, who is expected to provide evidence for about an hour and a half, will undergo cross-examination by the defense counsel, which is estimated to take over 720 hours.

    Mr. Eric Amankwah Junior, an Officer of the Ministry of Finance, will be the second prosecution witness and is expected to present 31 documents as evidence, requiring approximately an hour and a half.

    The Defense has indicated that they will need over 50 hours to cross-examine the witnesses.

    Other prosecution witnesses are Ms. Lucy Tetteh Akuetteh from Bank of Ghana, who is expected to tender in evidence six documents, and would be cross examined for an estimated 45 hours. 

    Meanwhile Kofi Ohene Oyirebi, the fourth prosecution witness, is estimated to use an hour and would tender a report. 

    He will also face an estimated 87 hours of Cross-examination from the Defence lawyers. 

    Deputy Superintendent of Police Charles Nyarko, the investigator in the case, will testify for hours and would be subjected to a cross examination for about 170 hours. 

  • Alhaji Yakubu arrives in court hearing Saglemi Housingcase in a wheelchair

    Alhaji Yakubu arrives in court hearing Saglemi Housingcase in a wheelchair

    Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, the former Chief Director of the Ministry of Works and Housing, was transported to court in a wheelchair to face 43 criminal charges in the ongoing Saglemi Housing case.

    The High Court in Accra had ordered his appearance within 48 hours to respond to the charges.

    Alhaji Yakubu, along with other individuals including a former Minister for Works and Housing, was charged with various offenses, including causing financial loss to the state.

    Due to his ill health, Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu was transported from Yendi in the Northern Region to Accra and brought before the High Court.

    He pleaded not guilty to all charges but requested that the trial proceed in his absence due to his health condition.

    This led to a debate between the prosecution and his counsel. The presiding judge granted the application for trial in absentia and adjourned the case to June 12, 2023.

    The judge also instructed the prosecution to organize their witness statements.

    Two former Ministers of Works and Housing, Alhaji Collins Dauda and Kweku Agyeman Mensah, and three others, have been arraigned in court over the Saglemi Affordable Housing infractions.

    The five were charged on August 5, 2021, with 52 counts, including causing financial loss to the state.

    They are facing charges of intentionally misapplying public property, causing financial loss to the state, and issuing false certificates in the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project, which involved the sum of $200 million.

    Alhaji Collins Dauda, together with Kweku Agyeman Mensah, Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, Chief Director of the Ministry, Andrew Clocanas, Executive Chairman of Constructura OAS Ghana Limited, and Nouvi Tetteh Angelo, have pleaded not guilty to all 52 charges.

    While Alhaji Collins Dauda was admitted to self-recognizance bail, Kweku Agyeman Mensah and Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu were granted bail in the sums of $65 million each. In addition, they were to produce three sureties, one of whom should be a public officer.

    Andrew Clocanas, the fourth accused person, was also admitted to bail in the sum of $179 million with three sureties, one of whom should be a public servant. Nouvi Tetteh Angelo, the fifth accused person, was admitted to bail in the amount of $13 million with three sureties.

  • Organised Labour urges govt to give Saglemi housing project to workers

    Organised Labour urges govt to give Saglemi housing project to workers

    Organised Labour has urged the government to consider giving the Saglemi housing project to employees in order to meet their housing needs.

    The government in November 2022 announced plans to wash its hands off the Saglemi housing project to allow a private developer to refurbish the housing units and sell them to potential owners.

    Sector Minister, Francis Asenso-Boakye said the decision was taken because it was exhausted and handicapped and cannot make further commitments to the Saglemi project.

    Speaking on behalf of Organised Labour at the 2023 May Day Parade at the Independence Square in Accra, the Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the Council of Labour, Freda Frimpong said the government must make meaningful use of the project.

    “Hon. Minister, please do whatever you can to make the Saglemi Housing project useful for Ghanaians, we cannot allow that project to go to waste when so many workers who have contributed to Ghana’s development cannot have places to lay their heads.”

    The Saglemi housing project was started in 2012 under the NDC government where 5000 housing units were targetted.

    This did not materialize due to the alleged misappropriation of funds.

    Currently, a former Works and Housing Minister under the Mahama administration, Collins Dauda, is standing trial together with four others for allegedly causing financial loss to the State in the controversial housing project.

    Mr. Dauda and the four others are facing 52 counts of criminal charges for intentionally misapplying public property, wilfully causing financial loss to the Republic, and dishonestly causing loss to public property.

    Alhaji Collins Dauda and his successor Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, have been accused of spending over $196 million on the Saglemi housing project when investigations revealed that the cost of works executed on the site, including consultancy services, was about $64,982,900.77.