By Joseph Nana Yaw Cobbina
As part of Government efforts to bridge the gap of the housing deficit in Ghana, a new board of TDC has been task to contribute and must take their mandate serious.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye (MP) has charged the TDC company to reinvert their operations and focus on government’s new affordable housing policy that aims to increase access to safe, secure, adequate, and affordable housing to the low to middle income earners across the country.
According to him, Government’s new affordable housing policy direction is to leverage on private sector investment by facilitating the provision of secured land, along with the requisite infrastructure, as well as work with relevant state institutions to grant tax exemptions, with the private sector providing the funding to undertake the actual construction works.
“With the Ministry having completed the modalities for the implementation of the affordable housing programme, also indicated that the Ministry of Works and Housing is ready collaborate with the TDC on proposals that relate to the provision of affordable housing, adding that the success of this noble objective would be an enduring legacy of the government of H.E President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo” he lamented.
The Minister made these known when he inaugurated the new Board Members of the TDC Company Limited, today in Accra.
The Minister expressed his appreciation to the management of TDC Limited for the demonstration of consistent demonstration of operational viabilities over the years, which has seen the company increased its profit margins and by extension, impacting the socio-economic development of the country.
“I am also aware of the company’s 4% revenue returns between 2018 and 2019.” The Minister added.
Acknowledging the contribution of TDC in the provision and development of infrastructure such as social housing, industrial enclaves and maintenance and construction of roads and public buildings, he had confidence in the new Board to consolidate the gains of the past, optimize the efficiency of the company, and make government’s affordable housing programme successful.
“It is my hope and expectation that, it would never be said anywhere that it was during the tenure in office of this Board that TDC was unable to make any significant contributions to government receipts or played that critical role required in support of government agenda to increase access to safe, secure, adequate, and affordable housing across the country”. Asenso Boakye added.
The Minister further reiterated the importance for the Board to focus on their mandate of providing strategic direction to the management and desist from engaging in the direct day to day administration of the company, indicating that such undue interferences have in the past, created problems in the smooth operations of institutions.
The Chairperson of the Board, Hon. Kofi Brako, on behalf of members, expressed his profound gratitude to the President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo for honouring them with the opportunity to serve on the TDC Board.
He assured the Minister of the Board’s commitment to provide excellent leadership to ensure that TDC plays an impactful role in the President’s Affordable Housing Programme. “We are mindful of the sacred trust impose in us and this is an opportunity to serve our country and much work awaits us to further transform TDC”, he added.
The rest of the members of the Board are Ms. Alice Abena Ofori-Atta, Mr. Seth Abladey, Ms. Valerie Barbara Ashitey, and Hon. Davis Ansah Opoku, Mr. Nicholas Arthur and Surv. Samuel Abakah.
