South Africa’s Minister for Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi (MP), has called on the Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye (MP) as part of ongoing efforts between Ghana and South Africa to explore avenues and find innovative ways of tackling the myriads of challenges in the realm of housing delivery and human settlements.

The South African Minister is on an official visit to the country as part of efforts to further strengthen ties, chart a new path and explore avenues for collaboration in the areas of housing delivery and development of other human settlements between the two countries.

The visit by Minister Kubayi comes on the back of fruitful discussions previously held between the two sector Ministers in Poland and South Africa that laid the foundation for the need to explore collaborations, particularly in enhancing the institutional framework for the delivery of housing in both countries.

Welcoming Minister Kubayi, sector Minister Francis Asenso-Boakye said the visit is not only an avenue to further strengthen ties between Ghana and South Africa, but most importantly, to lay the foundation for both countries to explore collaborations in the housing sector, particularly by enhancing the institutional framework for the delivery of housing in the respective countries.

Recognizing the common challenges towards addressing the housing needs of people, Asenso-Boakye said the complexities will require not only urgent attention but also innovative solutions dictated by mutual commitments from governments.

“Our joint efforts in pressing issues of slum upgrading, improvement of informal settlements and the lives of those who inhabit them can have a profound impact on the well-being and living conditions of a significant portion of our populations.” Ghana’s sector Minister noted.

In her remarks, Minister Kubayi said the government of South Africa is ready to commit to the new partnership that will work out to resolve the many myriads of problems in housing delivery.

“To us, this partnership and commitments also include sharing of experiences, knowledge and best practices in the housing sectors of our countries and how we can practicalize the implementations of what we seek to commit.”

Minister Kubayi and her delegation are expected to call on President Akufo-Addo as well as engage in other engagements notably, a business session to be hosted by the Ghana Investments Promotion Centre (GIPC) for housing sector players from both countries.