Aged government workers who have retired after serving the country ‘could’ own the government bungalows they stayed in during their years of active service after some considerations, minister-designate for works and housing, Samuel Atta Akyea has assured.
At his vetting Tuesday, he indicated that providing descent accommodation for the aged would strongly be considered when he is given the nod as the substantive minister.
He was addressing a question raised by the minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, about how government workers who have advanced in aged, retired and still living in government bungalows would be assisted or probably thrown out of those facilities.
The minister nominee said “the assumption is that they’ve been paying rent for all this while. If they have are squatters, I don’t think they should have a good treatment. They’ve taken us for granted.
“But if they are legitimate public servants living in the place, we would afford them the opportunity to own them. Why not? That is what you also receive when you serve a government. Public service should have some reward.
“I do not see how we’re going to dislodge a 60 year old man in the evening of his years from a government bungalow if there’s an arrangement.
“Probably he can say that take my gratuity or do some other arrangement for me to own it. We’d consider those arrangements.”
Several retirees have over the years complained about housing especially when they have family members.
By Martin Asiedu-Dartey|3news.com|Ghana
Follow @NewsyMartin