The Chief Executive Officer of Village Garden Homes at Shai Hills and Chief of Ashaiman, Nii Annang Adzor, has called for a fundamental change in the way buildings are constructed in Ghana, stressing the need for innovative, affordable and sustainable approaches to help address the country’s persistent housing deficit.
According to him, Ghana cannot continue to rely solely on conventional construction methods if the country is serious about providing decent and affordable housing for its growing population.
Inspection
He made the call during a routine inspection of housing projects being developed by Village Garden Homes at Shai Hills, where he assessed buildings at various stages of completion. During the inspection, he demonstrated the use of *interlocking bricks*, describing the technology as a practical and cost-effective alternative to some traditional building methods.
The Chief explained that interlocking bricks could significantly reduce construction costs while also helping to speed up the building process. The technology, he noted, offers an opportunity for developers, individuals and institutions to construct quality buildings without incurring unnecessarily high expenditure on materials and labour.
“We must begin to change the face of building in this country. If we want to tackle the housing deficit, we cannot continue doing things exactly the same way we have done them for decades,” he said.
Response
He stressed that innovation must become a central part of Ghana’s response to the housing challenge, particularly at a time when the cost of building materials continues to put home ownership beyond the reach of many ordinary Ghanaians.
According to him, the focus should not only be on constructing more houses, but also on developing affordable construction systems that can deliver durable and decent homes at a lower cost. The Village Garden Homes CEO said his company was prepared to demonstrate that affordable housing could be achieved without compromising quality.
He said the ongoing projects at Shai Hills were part of a broader vision to promote modern construction practices and provide prospective homeowners with housing solutions that respond to their economic realities.
Encouragement
Nii Adzor further encouraged policymakers, developers, architects, engineers and other stakeholders in the construction industry to embrace locally adaptable technologies and explore alternatives capable of reducing the overall cost of construction. He believes that widespread adoption of innovative building methods, coupled with appropriate government policies and private-sector investment, could contribute significantly to reducing Ghana’s housing deficit.
As he moved through the various construction sites, inspecting the progress of the projects, Nii Annage Adzor reiterated his commitment to making Village Garden Homes a model for affordable and innovative housing development.
He said the time had come for Ghana to move beyond traditional approaches and embrace construction technologies that make home ownership more attainable for the average Ghanaian.
“The housing deficit requires bold thinking, innovation and action. We are ready to be part of that change,” he added.
