Let us review housing scheme for cocoa farmers - Amoah

Sekondi, Aug. 24, GNA - Mr. Anthony Evans Amoah, Western Regional Minister has called on members of the Cocoa Farmers Housing Scheme to review and evaluate the scheme and report to the Western Regional Coordinating Council (WRCC).

He said this would enable the Council determine the cost and mode of payment by the farmers.

Mr. Amoah made the call at the first meeting of the Council at Sekondi on Wednesday.

The Council had a lengthy discussion on the cost of the houses, which ranged between 400 and 500 million cedis after the bidding. Mr Amoah observed that the estimated cost of the houses was too expensive and only few farmers could afford to acquire it. He noted that farmers deserved quality-housing facilities at a cheaper cost and should be sited at the place of choice of the beneficiary farmer.

Mr. David Yaro, Western Regional Coordinating Director and Chairman of the Scheme, said management of Habitat International had been contacted to assist in the construction of the houses. He said a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would soon be signed with Habitat to modify their units and construct houses that would meet the farmers' choice.

Mr Yaro said government instituted the scheme as a priority for four cocoa growing regions in the country. He said the farmers would be educated on the cost implications of the various housing units when the MOU and other relevant reviews had been completed.

Mr. Joseph Boahene Aidoo, Former Western Regional Minister instituted the scheme three years ago.

It was to assist cocoa farmers live decently, create employment opportunities for artisans and reduce rural-urban migration.