Gov’t Begins Reconstruction Of Apiate Community

Samuel Abu Jinapor, the minister for lands and natural resources, has confirmed the government’s commitment to rebuilding and remodeling the Apiate Community within the allotted time frame.

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, will cut sod to start construction of the core community, which will include 124 housing units, on behalf of the President of the Republic, he said, adding that the Masterplan for the reconstruction of the Appiatse rural model community is ready.

By the Grace of God, he added, “Within a year, we will deliver these homes,” implying that every part of the model Apiate housing units, which range from 1 to 7 bedrooms, is functional.

The Minister’s visit included a look at the inhabitants’ living circumstances and wellbeing following their May shift from tents to temporary housing.
He also took the opportunity to refute several claims made by members of the public that money intended for community reconstruction was being spent instead to build the National Cathedral.

He urged the people of Apiate and the surrounding areas to ignore such misinformation and incorrect claims, claiming that “The Apiate initiative is non-partisan, without colorization.”

He also took use of the occasion to encourage Ghanaians to contribute to the support fund in order to help the Apiate Reconstruction project, emphasizing that the money would be used in an open and responsible manner.

The Minister also symbolically decommissioned the tenants’ former homes, which were tents, as part of his visit to mark the end of the tent-dwelling era.

Mr. Jinapor expressed his gratitude for the excellent work done by the Chairman, Benito Owusu-Bio, the members of the Apiate Reconstruction Implementation Team, and the Municipal Chief Executives.

“I am very impressed with the work of the ARIT team headed by my Deputy Minister in charge of Lands and Forestry. They have done very well and have shown that they are a true example of the Ghanaian tradition of public service,” he said.

Speaking to the locals, Mr. Jinapor urged them to band together and help the government deliver the homes, stating that their combined efforts are necessary at this crucial time to ensure that they receive the homes.

The Lands Minister also gave the locals food donations totaling GHC 10,000, comprising sacks of rice, sugar, and oil.

Plans are far advanced, according to Benito Owusu-Bio, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Chairman of the Reconstruction Implementation Team, to ensure that the community has access to electricity, water, and other necessities.

He stated that plans, survey work, and site charting are all being finished so that the actual reconstruction work may start the next month.

Kyiame Kwame Ofori thanked the Minister and the reconstruction team on behalf of Nana Kojo Bremibi Chief of Apiate, stating that the Minister’s actions show true leadership. He also wished him and his team luck as they started the restoration process.