Accra, April 1, GNA - Mr Albert Abongo, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, on Wednesday cut the tape to open a three-day international exhibition on the latest equipment and services in the fields of domestic and industrial building, and general infrastructure development.

He said the provision of decent and affordable housing for Ghanaians has been a serious challenge to government, adding that the housing deficit continues to grow and presently it is estimated to be in excess of 500,000 units.

Mr Abongo said, to arrest the situation, his Ministry is in the process of finalizing the National Housing Policy for Cabinet's consideration and approval by the end of the year. The policy will, among others, provide policy actions tailored to the needs and aspirations of the low income people to make decent housing affordable.

In addition, he said, to increase the housing stock, the government would pursue the completion of its affordable housing projects with the aim of completing about 5,000 units that are under construction in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Wa within the year He said government has planned several development projects across the country in the water and housing sector, in its quest to improve the living standards of Ghanaians.

Mr Abongo said for Ghana to achieve the MDG target of 76 per cent population coverage for potable water by 2015, government will require not less than $1.6 billion to rehabilitate and expand it existing water treatment facilities for urban water supply, and also for provision of boreholes for communities and small towns water systems. The Agriculture Development Bank, he said, estimates that to meet the MDG for Water and Sanitation, Africa would need about 50 billion Dollars.

Mr Abongo said the government has established a system of land banks to provide access to land for investors who wants to enter into housing delivery.

Mr S. G. O. Lamptey, former Managing Director of Ghana Water Company Limited, who chaired the function, expressed concern about poor infrastructure, which makes it difficult for the urban masses to get water.

He advocated for the treatment and recycling of waste water from industrial and domestic sources to sustain good water supply. The Water Africa and West Africa Building and Construction event was organized by the ACE Event Management of United Kingdom for the exhibitors drawn from Europe and Africa, including Nigeria and South Africa.