GHANA NEEDS WELL CRAFTED HOUSING POLICY TO UNRAVEL THE HOUSING DEFICIT

The National Tenants Association of Ghana (NATAG) has express their disappointment with politicians for politicising matters concerning housing as Ghana’s housing deficit hit 1.6 million and expected to double by the next 10 years.

They are therefore calling for a crafted housing policy to unravel the housing deficit.

The Acting General Secretary Mr Fredrick Opoku says if the current trend of providing housing in the country continue the country would need 360,000 housing unit a year for ten years as a country in order to flatten our rocketing housing deficit which is expected to reach 3.6 million by the year 2022

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He blamed government failure to directly invest in the housing sector by providing subsidies to encourage building and home ownership but rather relying sorely on private entities to put more houses sought to worsen the housing deficit and make the Ghanian renter more poorer.

Mr Fredrick Opoku also found it very difficult to understand why Government is unwillinging to subsidize building materials to reduce the cost of building.

He noted that the price of cement has shot up to GHC 25 a bag from GHC 16.50, the highest price increase ever recorded in the history of Ghana.

The effect of this is that, greedy Landlords will take advantage of that to exploit the poor renter for their selfish gains.

Mr Fredrick Opoku call on all political parties in the country to as well direct their attention and also focus on proving affordable Housing to the poor with a housing policy in place when elected to power come 2013, rather than only raising voices and making strong promises to promoting free education to deceive and cheat the intelligence of the poor, and potraying that housing is no issue to them.

Story: Samuel Mantey

Reasons to Set Goals

1. Goals bring the future into the present, and the present is the only time we can take action.
Setting goals makes it possible to do something today to create the future you want.

2. If you don’t plan your time, someone else will help you waste it.

3. People get twice as much done on the day before they go on vacation, because they plan (set goals) and prioritize what they intend to do.

4. Goal setters make more money than people who don’t set goals. Those with goals programs are also happier and healthier and got along better with the folks at home.

5. Goals keep you focused on the things that really matter and help you avoid wasting time on things that are unproductive.

6. Setting goals gives direction and purpose to all that you do.

Now you might be thinking, “Zig, how do I know what goals to set, and how do I know they are the right goals that get me where I want to go?” I have a proven seven-step process you can apply to your goal setting, and if you follow each step correctly, you will create goals that are tailor-made for you and what you want to achieve.

The Seven Steps of Goal Setting

1. Identify the goal.
If you don’t identify a target, you will never hit it. When you identify a goal, it means that you write it down and describe it clearly. If you want to have specific success, you must have specific targets. A goal “to increase my annual income” or “to spend more time on my spiritual life” is not specific. A specific goal would be “to increase my current income by 20 percent” or “to read the entire Bible.”

2. List the benefits: what’s in it for me?
Once you identify a specific goal, you need to list the benefits you will receive when you reach that goal. We only do the things we want to do and are willing to do. If there are no personal benefits, your motivation for completing the goal will be diminished.

Remember that changing your life is not always easy, so understanding what’s in it for you is vitally important. Don’t skimp on this step!

3. List the obstacles to overcome.
There might be some rough spots on your journey as you work to achieve your goals. Many of them can be anticipated, and if you can anticipate something, you can prepare yourself in advance to overcome it. So think it through and make a complete list of all the things that can prevent you from being successful.

4. List the skills and knowledge required.
Knowledge gives us the power to accomplish things we would not otherwise be able to do, and skills give us the tools to take advantage of our knowledge. There is a direct relationship between knowing and doing, and successfully accomplishing your goals will require that powerful combination. For example, if your goal is to increase your proficiency on the computer, you will need to know specifically what the computer can do for you (knowledge). Then, the skills you will need to be successful must be identified. These skills might include learning to type on a keyboard with two hands instead of finger pecking. This would trigger setting another goal of learning to type! Never forget that knowledge and skill will be required to successfully complete any goal.

5. Identify the people and groups to work with.
We do a better job when we have the help of others. They can help us with knowledge and skill and can offer valuable advice we need to be successful. So when you set your goals, always consider the people and the groups you can work with that can help you be more successful.

6. Develop a plan of action.
This is the most critical step, and it involves thinking through the details of how you will achieve your goal. In my younger years I was thirty-seven pounds overweight. I had put that weight on one bite at a time, and I was going to have to lose it the same way. That required a plan! I wanted to lose my weight over a ten-month period and that was the first step of the plan. Thirty seven pounds sounds like a lot, but when you realize it’s only 3.7 pounds a month over a ten-month period it sounds a lot better. So, I planned to lose 3.7 pounds a month for ten months. Then I included a daily running and exercise plan in the goal, as well as a diet that would limit my caloric intake. With those details planned, I clearly knew how I was going to have to live each day to be successful. I prepared diligently to succeed. I stuck to my plan (which means I never made the first exception), and ten months later I had lost thirty-seven pounds.

Success would have eluded me had I not planned the details of what I would do each day to reach my goal. In this case, reaching my goal may not have changed the world, but it surely did change my world.

7. Set a deadline for achievement.
In the example above, you notice I gave myself ten months to lose the weight I wanted to lose. I had a great reason for setting that deadline—all goals need a completion date to be effective. I was in the process of writing my first book, See You at the Top, and I had ten months left to complete my book by my goal date when it struck me that I was not a good example of the very things I was teaching. Nobody who saw me was going to believe a word I said, because I was not taking care of my health. There was no way an overweight fat boy could effectively tell other people how to change their lives without first changing his own! My integrity was on the line . . . so I got help and made my ten-month plan.

If you don’t set a deadline for completing your goals, you will not be accountable to yourself or anyone else. If you are not accountable for your goals, you will not achieve them.

Don’t think of goal setting as a tiresome activity that requires you to do things that are difficult. The real benefit of having goals is what you become by reaching them. When you successfully complete your goals, you change specific things in your life. I can tell you factually that your life will be radically changed for the better, and the person you become will be highly successful in all that you do.

About the Author:

"The Master of Motivation" Zig Ziglar has been described as "one of America's Icons," "the salesman's salesman," and "a legacy that will forever impact our history." Helping people to achieve long-term balanced success based on his philosophy of character, attitude and skills, he has impacted more than a quarter billion people and continues to make a difference in the lives of those who act on his philosophy. His new book, Born to Win, is sure to become a beloved classic.

GREDA appeal to Government for partnership whiles Lakeside Introduces one bed room affordable house

Lakeside Estate has taken another step again towards the provision of affordable housing within the Greater Accra Region with the construction of the one bedroom expandable house at Ashale-Botwe.

The Acting Managing Director of Lakeside Estate, Mr. Salah Kalmoni says the One bedroom semi detached house which has a living area, toilet, bedroom, kitchen yard and front terrace forms part of their strategies to reduce the housing deficit in Ghana.

He noted that the firm has completed and furbished 41 houses out of the proposed 81 houses in the estate. According to him, Lakeside Estate built and sold 110 houses last year making their decade of establishment in country.

Mr. Salah Kalmoni made these statements at the official launching of the one bedroom expandable house at Lakeside Estate in Accra.

He stated that the leading estate firm has targeted building 10,000 houses in the next ten years to reduce housing deficit in the Urban Centres.

The one bedroom semi-detached house is competitively priced at $US29,500 with earthquake and fire outbreak resistant.

He disclosed that Lakeside Estate will be listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange in the three years.

The President of the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA), Mr Alex Tweneboa says government has not be supportive in providing affording housing for the people.

He appealed to the government to partner private estate developers to provide low cost affordable houses for the public.

He stated that about 80 percent of Ghanaians cannot afford at US$15,000, therefore the government needs to strengthen public-private partnership to house Ghanaians, he added.

Mr. Alex Tweneboa congratulated Lakeside Estate for building about 120 housing unit last year for the people.

Mr. Alex Tweneboa also appealed to government to exempt tax holidays to private real estate developers.

He reiterated that the current policy should extend to all other real estate developers who wish to help build a better Ghana.

He says the current on tax holiday do not make it possible for private real estate who do not partner with the ministry of housing to enjoy the holiday.

A representative of the ministry of works and housing, Madam Stella Atiaba says government has created the necessary environment for real estate industry to strive and be competitive.

She stated government is working to improve the housing deficit in the country. Madam Stella Atiaba says about 41.6 per cent of Ghanaians live in rented apartment because of inability to own their home.

The figures is under studied and very soon the government would outline measures to help public workers secure their own homes, she added.

Story: Samuel Mantey, Property Express

God will locate you!

Have you ever been to new place searching for a post office, house, office or school? Sometimes it could be very challenging especially when there is no one available for further direction to the location.

 In life we might sometimes feel lost in destination; dreams or goals set but trust God to locate you!

It was Friday May 4^th 2012 when I got home from work, my mom told me my Dad has been hospitalized after he was bitten by a poisonous snake in the farm. I sighed and immediately called my Dad but he did not answer his phone. It was then I realized there was something wrong. Being the only boy (man) among three sisters’ means there was danger ahead. Funeral plans?

Honestly, I thought it was all over for my Dad because this was the third time he had encountered a snake in his life. Just then, I realized I cannot easily throw in the towel; I went on my knees to pray for God’s intervention.  I prayed and cried all night to God to locate my Dad! God indeed interceded and located him. He healed him!

 Sunday May 6^th 2012- My Dad was discharged home after his ‘survival’ with the snake. At that time the family seemed to be in a happy mood again as we appreciated what God has done for us.

On Monday May 7^th 2012 at 08: 21 pm, I received a text from a friend that she had just been diagnosed with gastric ulcer also known as PUD. I had to cut down the merry making and interceded in prayers. Again, through prayers God located and healed her.

Lessons

Fortunately, God does not use Google maps or atlas in locating his people. He answers the prayer of the righteous. This means we all have the address to get to Him (Prayer) and when we dial the right numbers (follow his instructions), He will surely answer and deliver us. The situation I found my self indicates that our God is not asleep; He is at work to help his chosen people. W e might be driving 4x4 on earth but God might also be driving 12x12 ranger rovers in heaven.

Prayer is always the key to unlock doors of sorrow, worry and frustrations. When we pray, we call on God to show us that He is a problem solver. The Bible says Pray without ceasing! Our prayers to God should continue.

In order to answer the door to Jesus you don't have to sweep the floor or clean the house He's visiting YOU not the house. Let’s prepare our hearts for God to dwell in us. He wants to use us as an instrument of change. Proverbs 12:15 says the way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

It doesn't matter what the situation appears to be. In the end, God knows what it shall be!

The things you feel you can't do, God will do through you! Trust, believe, & receive. God is about to do a new thing!

By: Samuel Mantey

Email: Sammyoo3@yahoo.com

Twitter: SamuelMantey

Paragliding, from sports to tourism…South Africa, Ghana showing the way

A captivating scene of lakes, rivers, estuaries and beaches gently unfolds against a backdrop of lush forest and lofty mountain. These are all elements that characterize Paragliding.

For a long time, it has been a desire of man to fly in the open skies, enjoy the beauties of nature and look upon the landscapes, rivers, and mountains from high above.

Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure.

Despite not using an engine, paraglider flights can last many hours and cover many hundreds of kilometres, though flights of 1–2 hours and covering some tens of kilometres are more the norm.

Paragliding is a potentially dangerous recreational activity. In the United States for example, an average of slightly less than 1 in every 1,000 active paraglider pilots has been fatally injured every year since 1994. In France around 6 of every 1,000 pilots were seriously injured, while only 2 of every 10,000 pilots were fatally injured in 2011.

With all the challenges characterized in paragliding, it remains one of the sorts after recreational activities worldwide.

Though the adventure has its roots from Europe and the Americas, South Africa and Ghana has showed that the sports can be use as a potential landmark to boost tourism on the continent.

Paragliding in South Africa

Haven't we all at some point watched in envy as raptors soared overhead in flight? South Africa's many ridges and mountain lines run like great arteries throughout the country, making paragliding in South Africa both a delight and, at times, a daunting challenge. South Africa is the first African country to engage paragliding as a recreational activity.

South Africa is a popular tourist destination, and a substantial amount of revenue comes from tourism. Among the main attractions are the diverse and picturesque culture, the game reserves and the highly regarded local wines. In recent years, tourism in South Africa has seen high growth with the first five months of 2007 showing the highest levels of tourism in South Africa since 1998.

The South African Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association (SAHPA) has generated more than 50% of world records in this sport - most of them established in the Karoo.

Although most of the country's 9 provinces offer the sport, the relatively flat Karoo heartland is one of the best areas for paragliding. The towns of De Aar and Kuruman in the Northern Cape Province are the centers of Karoo paragliding.

The Western Cape has more than 60 official paragliding launch-and-flight sites.

KwaZulu-Natal Midlands are also a favored spot for this rewarding leisure activity.

Paragliding is the simplest and purest form of flying there is. Whether you dream of soaring above the hills, or taking your canopy on holiday with you to explore exotic locations from the air, paragliding is the way to go.

Paragliding in Ghana

When you step off of the plane in Accra, the capital of Ghana, the equatorial air hits you like a steamy, sultry cloud, full of unfamiliar aromas and promises of exciting adventures. Loud music, hot food, gorgeous views and friendly faces begin to warm your soul and spread a huge smile across your face! And that's not all that you have to be happy about, because there is also plenty of sky to explore while free-flying!

Since its inception in 2005, the Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival has attracted thousands of Ghanaians from all walks of life and foreigners alike.

Twenty-one pilots from the United States of America, Norway, France, Brazil, Japan, South Africa and Australia participates Paragliding festival on the Atibie Kwahu Mountains in the Eastern Region.

Paragliders are not cheap, although they represent one of the least expensive ways to get into the air. A new paraglider suitable for a recently trained pilot will cost up to around £2,000; secondhand canopies can be obtained for much less.

The Minister for Tourism, Ms. Akua Dansua reiterated her Ministry's agenda to promote tourism internationally and domestically, adding that the paragliding festival at Kwahu is going to be a significant part of this development.

According to her, with the passage of the Tourism Bill by Parliament, which is awaiting presidential assent, Tourism development will be taken to another level.

She encouraged stakeholders in the industry to continue to nurture the festival and other domestic tourism programmes to attract participation from both local and international visitors as Ghana prepares to move into a phase of accelerated development and modernisation agenda.

The Paragliding festival enriched the local economy since facilities such as hotels and restaurants experience increased patronage.

According to the Special Events Manager of the Ghana Tourist Authority (GTA), Benjamin Anane Nsiah the 2012 paragliding festival in Kwahu suffered a decline in revenue compared to that of last year.

The low revenue was blamed on bad weather conditions that caused disruption in flights.

GTA officials say already, more than 200 people subscribed to paragliding one of the biggest sorts after events in West Africa.

The Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival has become a popular event attraction on the country’s tourism calendar and imprinted on the country’s domestic tourism calendar.

It is normally characterised by a plethora of entertainment, music and dancing, greatly enhancing domestic tourism as it encourages more Ghanaians to show interest in the tourism potentials of the country.

Samuel Mantey

Email: Sammyoo3@yahoo.com

Twitter: SamuelMantey