Building for Ghana
Building for G
Ghana
Written by Tom Wadlow Produced by Richard Deane
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Middle income and affordable housing developer Devtraco is helping to address the huge demand for housing in the country, work which has secured its status as a Ghanaian Superbrand
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hana’s demand for housing is tremendously high. “Some 1.7 million units are needed,” reveals Joseph Aidoo, Managing Director of real estate developer Devtraco. With the company having spent the past 23 years developing thousands of middle income and affordable housing for Ghanaian citizens, Aidoo is following in his father’s footsteps after joining the family business on completion of his master’s degree. The business has grown to a 500-strong workforce with assets of $70 million, making it one of
the most prominent real estate operators in the country, especially in the Greater-Accra Region where it is currently working on several highly ambitious projects. From building homes to buy and rent to providing estate management services and sales of serviced plots, close collaboration with clients has facilitated the rise of Devtraco to official Superbrand status. City of Hope Not only is Devtraco providing a mix of essential affordable housing and higher end properties, but also
“That we are able t is cr
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an extremely sound investment proposition. On average, Devtraco houses and apartments appreciate a massive 20 percent each year. The average annual rental yield is between eight and 10 percent, allowing investors to make a decent return within just a few years. Its current flagship project in Greater-Accra is the City of Hope, as Aidoo explains: “This is a $120 million, 1,500 home development and we have built 1,100 since the project commenced in 2009 – we anticipate
it will be completed by 2018. “We have already built a police station, a fire station and we will also be building a 6,000 square metre mall as well as a school and recreational areas. That we are able to leave a positive legacy behind for the community is critical in order to achieve a sustainable community. You can’t have a sustainable community without these amenities so it’s important to provide facilities for our clients and homebuyers.” Just three kilometres away from
to leave a positive legacy behind for the community ritical in order to achieve a sustainable community” – Joseph Aidoo, Managing Director
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“Because we have managed to set ourselves apart, we have found that human resource has come to us, which has helped us a lot” – Joseph Aidoo, Managing Director
Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten A coin carried in a Mitsubishi elevator does not knock over The comfort you enjoy where you do not feel vibration when riding a Mitsubishi elevator is supported by progressive installation methods coupled with expert preventative maintenance performed regularly. The know-how and expertise of our people, combined with top-of-the-line product offerings, deliver Elevating Standards of riding comfort and safety. Mitsulift Ghana Ltd. 8th Floor, Octagon Building, Kinbu Garden, Accra Central, P.O.Box: CT 7667 cantonments, Accra, Ghana • Tel. +233 540 121414 info@mitsulift.com • www.mitsulift.com
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the City of Hope lies a 1,800 acre developer in Ghana to hold such a site which Devtraco is planning to title, and sits alongside thousands transform into another residential of reputable household names from and commercial community hub. around the world. Superbrands Many Devtraco developments was established in 1994 and is sell out in almost no time, with now established in 88 countries would-be homeowners having to around the world, making it an apply to purchase a property. Once important recognition for Devtraco successful, there are two financing and a valuable marketing tool. options – either self“Being named a Super financing by paying in Brand means a huge instalments during the amount to Devtraco,” construction process, Aidoo says. “We went or arrangements about receiving it simply with mortgage by serving and listening to providers. Devtraco our clients – it’s a big deal The year that has partnered with and another testament to Devtraco Ghana Home Loans, our commitment to our was founded Home Finance clients and homebuyers.” Company, Fidelity Aidoo also explains Bank and Stanbic Bank to help how establishing a reputation for customers find an affordable means excellence has aided Devtraco’s of paying for their property. recruitment process, which has successfully brought hundreds of Super brand permanent and part time staff on In 2012, Devtraco attained board. “Because we have managed Superbrand status in Ghana’s to set ourselves apart, we have found inaugural Superbrands Awards. that human resource has come to us, It remains the only real estate which has helped us a lot,” he adds.
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Forward thinking An important factor in being able to deliver cost-effective homes for working Ghanaians is the ability for Devtraco’s own costs to be kept in check. Through work with several partners and trials of many different products, new construction technology is being used to keep housing as affordable as possible. For example, the company is looking at new pre-cast concrete solutions which could be in place by next year. Aidoo has an ambitious vision for the next decade. In fact, it is a drive towards the same goal established when the company formed 23 years ago – to become the number one real estate company in Ghana. The number of He concludes: “In the next 10 employees working years I want us to truly establish for Devtraco ourselves and become the number one provider of middle income-affordable housing in Ghana and the sub region. We want to work with more partners/suppliers who excel in their fields and will continue to choose carefully the best possible companies to do business with.”
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P. O. Box AN 12284, Accra-North Greater-Accra, Ghana
T 233-302-810275 F 233-302-810278 marketing@devtraco.com.gh www.devtraco.com.gh