BENCHH 2024 Has Now Began To Address Housing And Flooding Challenges

Ghana has made a huge stride towards addressing its housing and flooding challenges with the inauguration of the Built Environment National Conference on Housing and Hydrology (BENCHH) 2024.

The three-day event (2- to 4th July), held at the Labadi Beach Hotel, was officially opened by the Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.

On the day, the Minister also launched the Ghana Hydrological Fund, a basic drive pointed toward moderating flood risks and further improving water management the nation over.

Addressing the many group of government officials, industry experts, and development partners, Minister Oppong Nkrumah emphasised the urgent need for sustainable funding to effectively tackle Ghana’s flooding problems, announcing a GH¢1.5 million seed funding.

“The government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing, has prioritized an allocation of 1.5 million Ghana Cedis as seed money for the fund,” he announced.

He asked all partners, including development partners, to contribute towards the fund’s success, highlighting its role in expediting essential projects such as drainage construction and dredging.

The Minister was specific about Ghana’s flooding issue, especially during the blustery season, exacerbated by lacking seepage infrastructure and the raising effect of environmental change.

He revealed that only 2% of drainage channels in the Greater Accra Region, requiring concrete lining, have been addressed, reflecting the urgent need for comprehensive action.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah added that the fund aims to provide a structured financial mechanism to expedite necessary projects like drainage construction and dredging, helping to address the country’s flooding problems head-on.

Beyond flooding, Minister Oppong Nkrumah also addressed Ghana’s housing deficit, currently standing at 1.8 million units.

He acknowledged challenges in affordable housing programs due to funding limitations and project delays, exacerbated by unfinished projects from previous administrations.

Housing Ministry To Deal With Housing And Hydrology Challenges To Enhance Quality Life

Incentives for private developers to undertake large-scale affordable housing projects were offered by the Minister in support of robust partnerships between the public and private sectors.

During the three-day BENCHH 2024 conference, discussions will cover regulatory reforms and the establishment of a Works Inspectorate Unit to ensure adherence to building and safety standards.

The Ministry aims to present comprehensive reports on government initiatives, achievements, and challenges, seeking input from stakeholders on innovative approaches.

Minister Oppong Nkrumah expressed confidence in the outcomes of BENCHH 2024, highlighting the potential of collaborative efforts to drive tangible progress in Ghana’s built environment sector.

He urged participants to actively engage in discussions and contribute their expertise towards crafting actionable strategies that address the nation’s housing and hydrology challenges comprehensively.