Some industry players in the country’s real estate, property and construction sector have been celebrated at this year’s Ghana Property Awards ceremony for their outstanding contribution to the sector.
The annual event, which is the 12th edition, was organized by the Property Express Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Housing.
The 2019 edition of the annual Ghana Property Awards was a glittering ceremony, which came off on Friday, November 29 at the Accra International Conference Centre. This year’s event was under the theme, “Strengthen the Bedrock of Ghana through Green Development”.
Being the 12th edition, the event recorded a higher number of attendees as compared to the previous editions. CEOs and management of real estate companies, financial institutions, construction companies and individuals graced the occasion. This shows the expansion of the sector as many new firms have joined.
The president for GREDA who doubles as the CEO of PS Global Limited, Mr. Patrick Ebo Bonful was the Chairman for the event. He called on all to have a total change in our socioeconomic lifestyles and also rely on locally produced building materials which have proven to be more durable. “There should be a total change in our socioeconomic lifestyles if we are to make any in-roads in the area of GD (Green Development).
Social Equity should drive our policy and be the bedrock of our building and construction development plans”, he said. Mr. Bonful also mentioned that GREDA has submitted a proposal to the Government of Ghana to spearhead the provision of mass affordable housing in the country. He urged that many households should be encouraged to use solar energy and reducing taxes of imported solar systems can do this.
In her speech, Irene Agyenkwa, the Director of Ghana Property Awards pointed out that Sustainability is key in the Real Estate Industry and the solution to the thin line between green development and profitability “lies in between with a focus on green solutions, effectiveness, quality, durability and pricing”. She further stated that Ghana Property Awards made a proposal that individuals and real estate developers should be given the permission to trade the excess solar energy they own. Irene said,
“Solar energy should not be just seen as a means of saving money on energy bills but with the right framework, it can generate, store and trade energy, saving and earning income, for home owners and investors alike”.
Speaking at the event also was the representative of the special guest of honor for the event, Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea, the Minister of Works and Housing. The Ministry encouraged the real estate industry to do more through the use of clay, wood and local building materials in order to reduce cost. To enrich the stakeholders input in devising a technical document that will guide economic and development controls, Hon.
Samuel Atta Akyea has launched the Building Regulation Technical Document. The Ministry of Works and Housing hopes to strengthen its relationship with all industry players.
Awards and Winners
To be eligible for nominations, projects must be supervised by an architect, surveyor or engineer with a proof of an insurance policy.
The Awards were grouped into three categories; Residential, Commercial and Special Awards.
Winning the Hall of Fame Award, Mr. Eric Ebo Acquah, CEO of Blue Rose Limited said he was excited and honored to receive this special award. He revealed that, in the coming years, his company seeks to build more affordable houses for the people of Ghana.
Mr. John Otumfuor Watson of Mayfair Estates, after taking the award for Residential Developer 2019- Upper Income mentioned his company has maintained this award since 2016 and they wished to put up the tallest building in the country hopefully next year.
Speaking on behalf of Construction Planners Ghana Limited (CPL), which won the Best Residential Developer 2019 – Middle Income, Jeffery Osei Boateng, mentioned that his company really deserved an award and it would have been heartbreaking not receiving any award at the event.
The newly introduced award for this year was the Real Estate Club Students Writing Competition Awards which were picked by Mr. Derick Frimpong Boateng from KNUST (2nd Runner Up), Mr. Alexis Yeboah from Ashesi (1st Runner Up) and the winner was Mr. George Agyei Nyarko Junior from KNUST. George Agyei Nyarko Junior, a final year Architecture student said he was glad his hard work had paid off and hopes the points he made in his article will be addressed in the country.
About the Ghana Property Awards
Ghana Property Awards is an annual event organized by the Property Express Group in Ghana to give due recognition to excellent performing firms in the Real Estate, Property And Construction sectors, hotels and financial institutions who support the sector.
The maiden edition of the Ghana Property Awards was held in 2007 and since then has become an annual program. The main objective of the program is to boost excellent standards and promote confidence in the sector. It also seeks to protect and maintain the interest of stakeholders in the industry. This awards ceremony also brings industry players together and offers a meeting platform for them to discuss business opportunities.
The 2019 Awards team added a new and innovative categories with the intention of spurring on new entrants and increase competition. The awards were grouped into 6 categories, each category having at least 4 awards. Winners list below:
Award winners
Best Residential Developer – Upper Income Prestigious 2019 – Goldkey Properties
Best Sustainable Engineering and Elevator Firm of the Year 2019 – ARG1
Up Coming Property Brand of the Year 2019 – Bijou Homes
Innovative Mortgage Product of the Year 2019 – GHL Bank
Hall of Fame 2019 – Blue Rose
Quality Property Firm of the Year 2019 – Waylead
Best Students Article 2019 – WINNER George Agyei -Nyarko Jnr – KNUST
Best Students Article 2019 1ST RUNNER UP – Alexis Yeboah – Ashesi University
Best Students Article 2019 2ND RUNNER UP – Derrick Frimpong – KNUST
Best Residential Developer –Upper Income 2019 Mayfair Estate Ltd
Best Residential Developer – Middle Income 2019 – CPL
Best Residential – Lower Income 2019 – Adom City Estate
Best Residential Developer- Apartment 2019 – Goldkey Properties
Best Eco Green Development – Atelier
Bespoke Green Company 2019- Ghana – Yecham Property Consult
Best Mixed-Use Development 2019 Goldkey Properties
Biggest Estate Development 2019 Ghana – State Housing Company
Private Biggest Real Estate Concept 2019 – Appolonia City
Best Hotel Development 2019 – Outside Accra – Red Mango Hotel and Apartments
Best Real Estate Management and Advisory Service Company 2019 – Broll