The first batch of public servants under the public sector employees' housing scheme will receive their homes in the western part of Accra by the end of this month. The beneficiaries received mortgage facilities to enable them to put up their own homes under the scheme which is being managed by the HFC Bank Ltd, Ghana. At the opening of the Baatsonaa branch of the bank, the Managing Director of the HFC Bank, Mr Asare Akuffo, said; "The government in recognition of the bank's expertise and experience in mortgage finance, appointed the bank as a manager of the scheme." "This scheme is ongoing and the first group of public servants will own homes through the scheme by the end of August, 2008," he reiterated. He said although the country was faced with some unpleasant economic realities, including rising inflation and interest rates, individuals could still acquire modest homes through the various mortgage loans. The mortgage loans include improvement loans, home equity loans, home extension loans and home purchase loans. Mr Akuffo, therefore, cautioned Ghanaians to be mindful of being enticed to borrowing foreign currencies as they were likely to face significant repayment charges. He said aside the usual commercial banking services; the new branch would provide mortgage financing services to customers. Mr Akuffo said the home loan centre had been attached to the new branch, and had good staff to provide customers with products of the loan centre. "We will be bold and say that by coming to Baatsonaa, HFC Bank is coming unto its own because it took the availability of home loans from us and leading members of the Ghana Real Estate Development Association to open up and turn this community into a bustling part of the Accra Metropolis," Mr Akuffo said. He reiterated the fact that HFC Bank aimed at creating wealth and making the lives of employers, employees, small and medium-sized businesses, as well as micro-businesses in the Ghanaian community better. Mr Akuffo, therefore, advised Ghanaian businesses and workers to do business with the bank and benefit from its services. Source: Daily Graphic ..........