Africa Home Building News 22/03/24

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Coming  up

Youth Employment Agency trains youth in brick production and construction.

National Rental Assistance Scheme grants rent assistance to 16.19% of applicants .

Kenya enacts controversial Housing Levy Law amidst public criticism.




The news now  in detail

The Youth Employment Agency, (YEA) in  collaboration with CSIR-BRRI is training 21,000 youth in specialized skills related to brick production and construction

The program aims to address unemployment and enhance professionalism in the building industry.

Trainees will receive monthly stipends during the training, and the program emphasizes the use of local materials and eco-friendly practices.

The training module includes hands-on practical sessions and aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed for success in the field.

The initiative is supported by the government and aims to contribute to national development by creating job opportunities and bridging the skills gap in the construction sector.


Moving on

The Minister of Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, has provided an update to Parliament on the National Rental Assistance Scheme (NRAS) as of February 2024.

Out of 10,168 applications received nationwide, 1,646 Ghanaians have been granted rent advance assistance, representing 16.19% of applicants.

The scheme operates in six regions: Greater Accra, Eastern, Western, Ashanti, Northern, and Bono East.

Additionally, the Minister has deposited details of beneficiaries and locations with the Clerk's office, as requested by MP Andrew Dari Chiwitey of Sawla/Tuna/Kalba.

The breakdown of applications and beneficiaries by region includes Accra/Tema, Kumasi, Takoradi, Techiman, Koforidua, and Tamale.

The NRAS, launched in January 2023, aims to alleviate the burden of large rent advances by allowing tenants to pay monthly rents to the scheme instead.


In more news

The focus of the 14th Women in Engineering  Forum, WiNE  and  the 25th Anniversary Launch of Women in Engineering was on advocating for the extension of mentoring programs to reach less privileged individuals.

Ing. Enyonam Kpekpena, President of WiNE, paid tribute to past leaders and pioneers of the organization, highlighting their contributions to advancing opportunities for women in engineering.

Ing. Kwabena Bempong, President of GhIE, recognized the significant impact of Women in Engineering within the institution, acknowledging their achievements over 25 years and expressing optimism for their continued success.

Overall, the event celebrated the progress of women in engineering while advocating for greater inclusivity and support for future generations of engineers.


In news elsewhere

Kenyan President,  William Ruto has signed a bill into law, allowing the government to continue collecting a 1.5% housing levy from workers' monthly salaries.

The aim is to fund the construction of affordable housing for low-income citizens, though the levy has faced widespread criticism.

Opposition voices and the public see it as an additional financial burden alongside other taxes.

Legal obstacles delayed the bill's enactment previously, but it was amended and ratified by Parliament despite opposition objections.

The government argues that boosting tax revenues is vital for reducing the budget deficit and funding essential services.

President Ruto aims to build 200,000 affordable housing units annually, creating over 600,000 jobs.