Samuel Abu Jinapor, the minister for lands and natural resources, has confirmed the government's commitment to rebuilding and remodelling 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 dwelling units, on behalf of the President of the Republic, he said, adding that the Masterplan for the rehabilitation of the Appiatse rural model community is ready.
By the Grace of God, he said, "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 used 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, emphasising that the money will 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 job done by the Chairman, Benito Owusu-Bio, the members of the Apiate Reconstruction Implementation Team, and the Municipal Chief Executives.
"The effort of the ARIT team, led by my Deputy Minister for Lands and Forestry, has really pleased me. They performed admirably and shown that they are a good representative of Ghana's long history of public service "added he.
Speaking to the citizens, Mr. Jinapor urged them to band together and aid the government in delivering the homes, stating that their combined efforts are necessary at this crucial moment.
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 guarantee that the community has access to power, water, and other necessities.
He stated that plans, survey work, and site charting are all being finished so that the real rebuilding work may start the next month.
Kyiame Kwame Ofori thanked the Minister and the rehabilitation team on behalf of Nana Kojo Bremibi Chief of Apiate, adding that the Minister's initiatives show genuine leadership, and wished him and his team well as they move forward.