President John Dramani Mahama has set March 2027 as the target for the commissioning of the first 700 housing units at the Saglemi Housing Project, with the full first phase of 1,500 units expected to be completed by December 2027.
President Mahama announced the timeline during an inspection of the Saglemi Housing Project, expressing confidence in the progress made by private developer LMI Group and the partnership between government and the private sector to revive the long-abandoned project.
“As the developer has indicated, 700 housing units will be ready for commissioning by March next year, while a total of 1,500 units will be completed by December next year,” President Mahama said.
From abandoned project to modern community
The President recalled that the Saglemi project was conceived under the late President Professor John Evans Atta Mills and continued during his previous administration.
“This project was a vision that began under the late President Professor John Evans Atta Mills, and I had the privilege of continuing it during my previous administration,” he said.
According to President Mahama, the project stalled following a change in government, as legal issues emerged and the incoming administration initiated investigations.
“Unfortunately, when government changed, legal issues arose. The incoming administration decided to investigate the project, and in the meantime, construction came to a halt,” he explained.
The prolonged suspension, he said, left the project vulnerable to extensive vandalism and looting.
“Looters invaded the site.
They stole electrical cables, wash basins, bathtubs, fittings, bulbs and even pulled out underground telecommunications cables, leaving behind nothing but empty shells,” President Mahama stated.
Government subsequently decided to partner with the private sector to complete the project, leading to the selection of LMI to undertake its redevelopment.
“From what you have seen today, this estate is going to become a modern and conducive residential community for thousands of Ghanaian families,” the President said.
Mahama urges early registration
President Mahama urged prospective homeowners to register promptly once the sales portal is opened, warning that demand for the houses could be high.
“I want to encourage Ghanaians to register as soon as the sales portal is opened because these houses will be in high demand,” he said.
He cautioned that if individual buyers delayed, industries located along the corridor, particularly around Tema and the Dawa Industrial Park, could move quickly to acquire the houses for their workers.
The President stressed that the estate would serve both industrial workers and Ghanaian families seeking to own homes in a well-planned community.
Water and other infrastructure
President Mahama assured prospective residents that the necessary supporting infrastructure would be provided.
He said the water treatment plant serving the Dawa Industrial Park would contribute to the water supply for Saglemi.
“That facility produces more water than the industrial park requires, and the surplus water will be supplied to this estate, with the remaining excess being transmitted to the Tema Industrial Area in collaboration with the Ghana Water Company,” he explained.
He also pointed to major road and railway developments expected to improve connectivity within the corridor.
Road and railway connectivity
President Mahama said government was dualising the road from the Saglemi area towards Aflao, with the first phase already under construction and the second phase, from Central University, being awarded.
“Residents will therefore enjoy a fast and efficient road connection,” he said.
He added that a railway connection would also be developed to transport passengers and cargo.
“Containers and industrial goods from the Tema Port will move directly to the industrial park by rail,” the President said.
He described the area as an emerging major industrial and residential growth corridor.
Saglemi to form part of Green Digital City
President Mahama further linked the Saglemi development to government’s broader vision for a Green Digital City.
“The new city will stretch from this corridor through Bundase, across the former military firing range, all the way to the Volta Lake, creating an entirely new urban growth zone for Ghana,” he said.
He said the development of housing, roads, railways and industrial infrastructure would transform the corridor into an important economic hub.
3,500 more units planned
President Mahama noted that Saglemi was originally conceived as a 5,000-unit affordable housing estate.
The current phase, he said, would deliver the first 1,500 units, after which work would commence on the remaining 3,500.
“After completing this phase, work will immediately commence on the remaining 3,500 housing units,” he stated.
The President expressed the hope that the first 700 units could be commissioned around Easter next year.
“It is my hope that shortly after Christmas, around Easter next year, we shall gather here to commission the first 700 housing units and hand them over to homeowners,” he said.
He added that government would return in December 2027 to commission the remaining units in the first phase.
Mortgage support for homeowners
President Mahama also disclosed that several financial institutions had developed mortgage products to support prospective homeowners.
“The Home Ownership Fund and other financial institutions are prepared to finance the 10 percent deposit and provide affordable mortgages with low interest rates, allowing more Ghanaians to own homes,” he said.
He explained that expanding home ownership was part of government’s broader strategy to reduce the burden of excessive rent advances on Ghanaian families.
“If we increase the supply of affordable and social housing, more Ghanaians will own their homes, easing pressure on the rental market and making rental accommodation more affordable for those who choose to rent,” he said.
The President acknowledged that although the law provides that rent advance should not exceed six months, enforcement remains difficult because landlords and tenants often fail to report violations.
“Our long-term solution is therefore to increase the supply of decent and affordable housing across the country,” he stated.
GH¢500 million District Housing Scheme
President Mahama disclosed that Saglemi was only one component of government’s broader housing agenda.
“Saglemi is not the last housing project. Government is preparing a major national housing programme that will be announced by the Finance Minister in the next budget,” he said.
He added that the Ministry responsible for Housing was already working on a District Housing Scheme, supported by GH¢500 million allocated in this year’s budget.
“Construction of district housing projects will begin this year in selected districts, marking the beginning of a new housing vision that Government intends to roll out over the next four years,” President Mahama said.
Mahama challenges LMI to deliver
The President concluded by commending LMI management and workers for the progress made so far, while challenging the developer to meet the timelines announced.
“I thank the management and workers of LMI for the progress made so far,” he said.
“We trust your commitment, and we expect that when we return next March, you will have fulfilled the promise you have made to the people of Ghana.”
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
