By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News
The Ministry of Housing and Water hosted a strategic engagement session on Friday at its Brickdam Headquarters, bringing together housing officers from Regions 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10. This session is part of efforts to improve regional operations and better fulfill the government’s housing mandate.
Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, emphasized the importance of equipping regional offices with sufficient human and technical resources to address region-specific challenges. He also announced plans to establish a new housing office in Region One, expanding access to services for residents in hinterland communities.
In a telephone interview, Minister Croal noted that housing officers outside of Region Four are now handling increased workloads and greater responsibilities. The ministry, he said, is reviewing staffing levels and operational efficiency to ensure better performance.
“This is our first re-engagement with regional housing officers for them to understand the current mandate and the government’s expectations in implementing the upcoming programs,” Minister Croal stated.
He emphasized that the session was also designed to guide officers in delivering effective public service, reminding them that timely assistance builds trust and satisfaction among citizens.
“Too often we get complaints of people being told, ‘we’ll follow up’ or ‘get back to you,’ when some issues could be resolved with just a little more effort and time,” Croal added.
Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry, Vanessa Benn, reminded officers of their crucial role as the frontline representatives of the ministry, stressing that integrity, knowledge, and public awareness are essential to maintaining trust and transparency.
Dr. Martin Pertab, Chief Executive Officer of CH&PA, urged officers to increase efficiency and ensure timely documentation, particularly for land allocation and bank financing requests. He also highlighted the ongoing digitalization drive aimed at improving record management and reducing delays.
The meeting also addressed strategies to enhance public awareness and information sharing, to reduce misinformation, and foster greater confidence in the national housing system.
This engagement forms part of the ministry’s broader mission to deliver quality, transparent, and efficient housing services nationwide, ensuring that every regional office is well-equipped to serve its communities.
