The Ghana Real Estate professionals association (GREPA), Ghana’s first real estate professional association hosted a team of instructors from their United States partner, the National Association of REALTORS®, (NAR) on a 4-Day training program.

The weeklong training program dubbed GREES (Ghana Real Estate Education Series) was developed for all real estate professionals in the country including real estate sales associates, brokerages, consultants, developers, property managers, Valuers and other key players in the industry.

The event was funded by IHC Global, an independent, non-profit global membership coalition of organisations, businesses and individuals engaged in urban development worldwide, providing advocacy and awareness to policy and practice-focused research; and sharing methods of good practice. The organisation has in the past supported GREPA and the Ghana government in providing a team of legal experts in reviewing the 2014 Real Estate Agency draft bill and is interested in other future projects to support the Ghana Real Estate Industry.

Sponsorship organisations included Beaufort Properties, Willows Property Management, MTN, Appolonia City, The Exchange Project, Vivienda, Saka Homes, Alien Travel Service, Brightstone Capital and Abri Foundation   

The program took place at the African Regent Hotel and was officially opened on Monday, October 22, 2018, by Deputy Works and Housing Minister, Freda Prempeh, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tano North Constituency.

In her address during the opening segment, Ms Prempeh applauded GREPA for enhancing professionalism in the industry through specialised education.

She charged the professionals to educate themselves as well as their clients with information and resources received from the training.

Mr. Maurice Hampton, REALTOR®, who was one of the instructors, Managing Broker and CEO of Centered International Realty Corporation in Chicago, touched on many key areas of concern in working with buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants.

Participants were tasked to cultivate a relationship with their clients in performing their duties as Real Estate Professionals, be the source of information, knowledge and guidance.

Mr. William Endsley, a Consultant of IHC Global took the class through the Ghana scorecard which illustrates the structures within which an economy can progress. He took the class through a skills practice and role-playing module that gave the participants a better understanding of how investors make decisions on where to put their money.

The event was very interactive and resourceful and participants are very grateful to the organisers and the sponsors.
The next training is scheduled for February 2019.

As part of the benefits of being a Cooperating Association of the NAR, GREPA is licensed to offer some of the prestigious designations and certifications developed by NAR.

The courses delivered included the Accredited Buyer’s Representative Designation-ABR®, Understanding Global Real Estate Markets, and Internet Professional Certification e-PRO®.