The government is in the final stages of constructing 185 housing units for public servants in the Ashanti Region, replacing existing bungalows on lands returned to the Asantehene through an Executive Instrument.

In 2022, 400 acres of state lands in Kumasi's Ridge Residential Area were released to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, following the issuance of Executive Instrument 432 of 2021 for the Redevelopment of Sector 18 of Kumasi.

“The revested land contains both privately-owned properties to be maintained and state bungalows to be relocated to the area retained by the Government. All leaseholders of private and public residential and other properties within the revested area are also to attorn tenancy to the Asantehene,” the letter released at the time read.

• Read More: Government releases over 400 acres of state lands to Asantehene

Speaking in an interview with JoyNews’ Nana Yaw Gyimah on May 10, the Ashanti Regional Lands Officer, Peter Osei-Wusu revealed that this decision was because no compensation was provided for lands acquired during the colonial era, prompting the government to allocate half of the lands back to the Asantehene.

“So His Majesty made a legitimate appeal that some of these lands should be returned to him. But he should have taken all because compensation was not paid. The government decided that we should keep half and then give half to his majesty,” he said.

He noted that since the acquisition of the lands by the Ashanti King, the government began the construction of state bungalows that were demolished as a result of the acquisition.

The construction of new facilities to replace the 116 state bungalows is at the advanced stages of completion with approximately 200 units expected upon completion.

Mr Osei-Wusu said that to finance the project, part of the lands retained by the government were allocated to private developers in exchange for housing construction.

“So you come put up a number of bungalows for us and then we give you land, that is what we have been doing. So in all, we are taking about 200 units. We have gone through Ghana Institution of Surveyors for value for money and then we've been to Public Procurement Authority. They've given approval for all these contractors to commence construction,” he said.

Mr Osei-Wusu added that the government is not shortchanged in the deal stating “the land values are around $600,000 an acre and then we match it against the cost of construction.”

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah expects the homes to be ready for occupancy by the end of this year.