Ghana Property Awards focus on sanitation, power
The eighth Ghana Property Awards have been held in Accra with a focus on innovations in infrastructural development and improvement in sanitation and power.
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The ceremony, which was held on the theme: “Infrastructural development in pursuit of excellence in a despaired region,” was used to highlight the innovative steps players in the Ghana property industry have adopted to thrive in the difficult business environment.
Support from government
In a speech delivered on his behalf, the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, paid tribute to the developers and other stakeholders in the industry for playing cardinal roles in the country’s development.
“The contribution of our developers and builders to nation building in terms of direct and indirect job creation, revenue creation, capital formation and others cannot be overemphasised,” he said.
He pledged the ministry’s support to Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA) through the rolling out of incentives under the national housing policy to facilitate the provision of quality affordable homes for Ghanaians.
Resilience and innovation
At the event, the Director of Ghana Property Awards, Mrs Irene Agyenkwa, said it was worth celebrating the innovation, tenacity and resilience of players in the industry in a hostile business environment.
“The West African sub-region has for the past 12 months or so grappled with the incessant Boko Haram attacks and the horrifying sceptre of Ebola. The region has indeed been in despair,” she said.
According to her, the combined effect of the Ebola and Boko Haram menace, coupled with internal economic challenges, was enough to discourage players in the industry and scare foreign investors.
“Here in Ghana, the interminable power crisis has made the situation seemingly bleaker. But businesses must not stand still because we have Ebola or acute power crisis,’’ Mrs Agyenkwa said.
She underscored the need for industry players to operate in environmentally friendly conditions through adhering to good sanitation practices in their struggle to achieve excellence. “We are, therefore, this year, recognising developers who, in addition to putting up the nice buildings and roads, have taken the initiative to proffer a lasting solution to this menace with recycling plants and other effective modern methods of waste disposal,” she said.
Awards
Companies and individuals were honoured in 20 award categories. The Hall of Fame Award, the highest of the night, went to the Chief Executive Officer of Parakou Limited, Mr Gaby Mattouk. He is the founder of Parakou Limited and co-founder of Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA).
Jose Passarelli walked home with the iconic project award, with Rehoboth Properties Limited, Black Park Limited, CPL Developers, Castle Gate, Electroland (Samsung), and Broll Ghana, all winning awards.
Other award winners were Ghana Home Loans, State Housing Company, Delico and Atterbury, Broll Ghana Limited, and Berock Ventures.