The 2009 edition of the Ghana Property Awards has been launched with a call on real estate developers to help alleviate the precarious housing deficit facing the country. The awards convenes a meeting of Ghanaian residential and commercial property market players to celebrate their success and carve new and innovative ways of meeting the needs of the industry. Speaking at the launch, the Water Resources, Works and Housing Minister, Mr Albert Abongo, commended organizers of the event, Property Express Ltd in collaboration with the Ghana Real Estates Developers Association (GREDA) for their foresight. While commending them, Mr. Abongo stressed the need for the organizers to consider monitoring the activities of builders and contractors since building standards had been falling dangerously in the country. “It is a statement of fact that a majority of Ghanaians lack maintenance culture. If one drives through town, there are several buildings one can see that are physically obsolete and others structurally sound but have all been allowed to run into economic and functional obsolescence.” The minister said he was gratified that the awards sought to reward those in the industry doing well to maintain standards. “It is also important for stakeholders in the industry to begin to play our respective roles in the delivery of housing in a way that will sustain our environment and ensure the sustainable utilization of local building materials, as well as promoting the use of such local materials,” he stated. Mr Abongo expressed the government’s commitment its urban renewal programme. He appealed to members of GREDA, to commit some resources to providing affordable housing for the citizenry since the enormity of the problem had overwhelmed the government. The Tongo MP also commended Haier Thermocool for contributing $10,000 to the organization of the event. This year’s awards are on the theme: Creating a sustainable income in today’s Environment and Maintenance cultured Industry. Organisers say the 2nd Property Awards will focus on “environmentally friendly factors which are becoming increasingly important for both local and international awards.” “The focus of this year’s awards is also on financial sustainability of a project to the buyer and the maintenance issues of a venture. To ensure as much public participation as possible, nominations are invited from the general public before the Panel of Judges / Technical Reviewers go through the elaborate process of deciding on the winners,” statement issued by the organizers said. The awards comes off July 17, 2009 at the International Conference Centre. The award categories will include: Property Security Company of the year; Landscaper of the Year Award; Property Insurer of the Year A ward; Paint Firm of the year; Facilities Management & Maintenance Award Best Property Advertiser of the Year; Furniture Company of the year; Propel1y Personality of the Year Architectural Firm of the year; Property Agency Team of the Year; Property Fund Manager of the year; Innovator of the Year; Residential Developer of the Year; Up & Coming Property Firm; Property Funding Partner of the Year; Best Regional A wards; Property Entrepreneur of the Year; Occupier of the Year and Property Company of the Year. Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline.com