President Akufo-Addo has charged the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ministry of Interior, Lands Commission, and private developer, Unique Development Company Limited to work in earnest towards completing second phase of the ultra-modern Police barracks project in the Dome Kwabenya Constituency.
He made these remarks while commissioning the phase of an ultra-modern police barracks on Wednesday.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo said "I urge the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Unique Development Company to work in earnest towards the completion the second phase of the Project, which is made up of one hundred and ninety-two (192) housing units, together with other amenities"
This, he noted, will bring the total housing units for the Ghana Police Service to Five Hundred and Fourteen (514).
"The growing population of the country requires that we develop innovative solutions to the demand for housing, infrastructure and public services in our major cities"
Explaining further, President Akufo-Addo noted the Urban Redevelopment Scheme was introduced to redevelop major areas of our cities with modern infrastructure.
"The completion of the first phase of the Barracks complex will facilitate the easy relocation of the Ghana Police Service for the Aviation City redevelopment to commence"
President Akufo-Addo stressed that the police barracks falls in line with government’s commitment to provide decent accommodation for security personnel in the country.
He also mentioned that it will improve their welfare, and enhance capacity to serve the nation more effectively.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, showered praises to President Akufo-Addo for his vision to modernise urban cities through the Urban Redevelopment Scheme.
"Through this Programme, Government is redeveloping public lands in cities which are being underutilised to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country and give a facelift to our cities"
"The Urban Redevelopment Scheme is being implemented in areas such as Kumasi Sector 18, which comprises of Ridge, Danyame and Nhyiaeso Residential areas, Old Tamale Airport, Ridge Sectors 1, 2 and 3 Residential Areas in Cape Coast, and the Aviation City in Accra"
Mr. Jinapor noted that the move will pave way for the redevelopment of the Aviation City of which the new barracks and other projects have been constructed.
"In addition to the barracks, similar projects are being constructed to relocate all the other agencies in the Aviation City enclave, including the Ghana Armed Forces, the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL), and the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMA)"
"I want to thank Unique Development Company Limited for partnering with Government to make the project possible"
Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery thanked all who partook in the completion of the first phase of the project.
He also called for a speedy completion of the second phase of the project.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akufo Dampare assured the President that the service will take good care of the facility.
He assured President Akufo-Addo that the barrack will be used for its intended purpose.
Present at the ceremony were Minister for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah, Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, Chairman, Executive Secretary and Members of the Lands Commission as well as Members of the Police Management Board.
The new barracks complex was constructed through a public private partnership between the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Interior, the Lands Commission, and a private developer, Unique Development Company Limited.
This was to pave way for the relocation of the police barracks adjacent Airport City.
It was also aimed at freeing the land for a redevelopment into an Aviation City.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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