Ghana Real Estate Professionals Association (GREPA) ‘Selling Ghana and Africa’
FIABCI Chicago CHAPTER ‘Luncheon Capturing Global Business’
Vicky Sampah- MBA, MSRE, REALTOR
6/26/2013
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“Africa: one of the few bright spots on the gloomy global economic horizon.”
George Soros
George has been a prominent international supporter of democratic ideals and causes for more than 30 years
According to a report by Ernst and Young’s CEO of Africa in 2012, “Over the past few years, the levels of interest in Africa have grown exponentially. What was, only a short while ago, a trickle of enquiries from our clients on opportunities for investment and doing business in Africa has grown into a flood”
“On a daily basis, we are fielding requests for more information from clients globally. We are engaging with companies in our unique Cube environment to help stress-test their Africa growth strategies, and are leveraging our pan-African network and Growing Beyond Borders™ toolset to provide data and insights that support investment decision-making”
“We are excited and very positive about Africa. We are optimists, but we are realistic optimists – our perspective is deliberately a glass half full rather than half empty one. This is mainly because we believe that it takes a positive mindset to succeed in Africa. If you set out expecting difficulty and risk, you will find it. However, ours is not a point of view informed by anecdotes and wishful thinking – the numbers speak for themselves.”
Ajen Sita, CEO, Ernst & Young Africa
-Ghana benefits from a stable, political environment, democratic with a free press, independent judiciary, and active civil society. Over the past few years, Ghana has pursued a robust macroeconomic reform agenda, which has resulted in a significant decline in poverty and steady growth in gross domestic product. In 2007, commercial quantities of oil were discovered of the coast of Ghana, which Accra may provide a revenue steam that could rapidly accelerate growth and move Ghana toward its goal of middle income status by 2020.
Ghana’s economy has attained a lower middle income status and we recorded a GDP growth of 14.4% in 2011 as a result of massive investment in infrastructure and substantial infusion of FDI propelled mainly by the emerging oil and gas sector
Relative to its African counterparts, Ghana has a sizable resource endowment; the country has plenty of mineral, gas and oil reserves. We expect continued investment in the oil and gas industries, contributing to the majority of FDI flows.
Increasing oil revenues should indirectly boost other sectors including Real Estate.
FDI inflows to Ghana are forecast to average about US$5b p.a. over the next five years, with approximately 45,000 new jobs created as a result.
Please email me for a full report of ‘AFRICA BY NUMBERS’ or
Message from the Ambassador
May 24, 2012
Ghana is one of the fastest growing and most vibrant economies in Sub-Saharan Africa. The country is increasingly a headquarters location of choice for international companies operating in West Africa as either a gateway to the West African sub-regional market of 250 million consumers, or the broader Sub-Saharan African market. There are direct flights between Ghana and the United States on U.S. carriers, and over the past two years, companies such as GE and IBM have set up offices here. As a lower middle income country with significant exports of gold, cocoa, and oil, Ghana has seen rapid development and economic growth in recent years, and improvements in ease of doing business and transparency. Under President Obama’s National Export Initiative, two-way trade between the United States and Ghana has increased dramatically and was valued at nearly $2 billion in 2011. U.S. companies of all sizes have had success in Ghana, and this is a very promising market for experienced U.S. exporters.
The relationship between Ghana and the United States is strong not only in terms of trade and investment, but also in development assistance to promote continued economic growth. Ghana is one of only four global partners participating in the Partnership for Growth (PFG), a partnership to accelerate and sustain broad-based economic growth. Ghana is one of the leading countries in West Africa for U.S. global agriculture and health initiatives such as the Feed the Future Initiative, the President’s Malaria Initiative and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The U.S. Agency for International Development is engaged in large-scale programs focused on economic growth, trade, agriculture, health, water and sanitation, education, and democracy and governance. The U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation recently completed a first compact with Ghana that focused primarily on investments in transportation and agriculture infrastructure, and is now working with the Government of Ghana and other stakeholders to develop a second compact focused on the power sector.
The Embassy is here to assist and support U.S. businesses interested in investing or providing goods and services in Ghana. I and my colleagues in the Foreign Commercial Service and Economic Section look forward to working with you as you consider doing business in this dynamic market.
The US Abassador, Accra, Ghana
MAP OF GHANA
MAP OF AFRICA SHOWING GHANA
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
- INTRODUCTION
- VICKY SAMPAH
- ABRI PROPERTIES GHANA
- GREPA
- Vision
- Mission
- Projects/programs
- Benefits from FIABCI
- Conclusion
- Asking for Partnerships
- Contacts
Vicky Sampah| Owner/ Broker – ABRI PROPERTIES GHANA
MBA, MSRE, GRE, ABR, e-PRO, REALTOR®
I have diverse international background in Residential & Commercial/ Industrial Real Estate. I specialize in the Foreign Direct Investment markets in Ghana providing strategic corporate advisory, brokerage services and settlement of their expatriate staff.
I have a passion for Real Estate, concern for ethical values, concern for performance, client satisfaction, and commitment to excellence, expansive international knowledge, experience, technical competence and global industry contacts makes me a valuable asset to any organization.
I started out doing real estate around 15+ years ago as a hobby following my friend and mentor Anthony Awotwi (formerly of Coldwell Banker Honig Bell and now Michael Gabriel Realty)aroundhis showings, assisting with open houses and seeing great homes and have loved every single minute of it.
I joined Coldwell Banker Honig-Belland received excellent training, million dollar awards, and support to build my expertise in the industry. This also served as a motivation for me to pursue the career.
Licensed as a Broker with a vision to excel, I enrolled at Chicago's Roosevelt University- Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate and received a Master’s of Science Degree in Real Estate in December of 2007 where Ilearnt that the Sky is limit as far as Real estate is concerned.
In February of 2011, I relocated to Ghana to set up ABRI Properties as I saw the huge potential in the Ghanaian market with just a few Professionals running the system. As I practiced in this unregulated property market, I was able to identify most of problems in the industry to build up a strong front to address these issues.
Prior to my return to Ghana, I had met and started discussions with Bill Endsley on how to help develop and raise the standard of Real Estate in Ghana.
Coupled with the experience in Ghana, I founded the Ghana Real Estate Professionals Association in November of 2012.
ABRI PROPERTIES GHANA
Residential and Commercial Real Estate Services
'ABRI' is an old french word meaning to 'shelter' 'shield' or 'screen' pronounced[uh-bree], a 'safe haven'
ABRI Properties, a subsidiary of ABRICONSULT LTD is a full service Real Estate firm registered and incorporated under Ghana's Companies Act, (Act 179) 1963. The company is the newest, most advanced and most comprehensive real estate company in Ghana.
We offer a fullyintegrated platform that is designed to help Buyers, Sellers, Landlords, andtenants achieve their real estate goals through aggressive and proactive marketing using the latest marketing and brokerage techniques that are necessary to navigate today's challenging real estate environment.
ABRI Properties (AP)has a collective knowledge from a team of professionals with over 20 years ofdomestic and international experience as well as insights to all real estate markets acquired and implemented by working indomestic andinternational markets
Our Team of experts comes to the table with thought-provoking and cutting-edge real estate projects and ideas.
Some of our international and corporate clients include: Accenture Development Partners, PISTIS School of Ministry, Georgette Barnes Ltd (GBL), IFFCO Trading Ghana, OLAM Ghana, BSi Steel Ltd, FormScaff/Waco Africa, DOW Chemical, SSNIT, GNAT, LifeForms Ghana, Ghana Heavy Duty Truck, Max Mart, Rhapsody’s, KFC Ghana.
GHANA REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION (GREPA)
- We are Non-Profit, Non-Governmental, Non-Religious and Non-Political Entity and our members consist of Real Estate Professionals in Ghana
- GREPA Members are involved in preserving the right to buy and sell property; to lease and improve property and to work with the community to ensure that fair housing is available to all.
ASSOCIATION VISION
- To be the leader and preferred partner in providing knowledge, information, tools and resources to support the advancement of Real Estate in Ghana.
- To establish standards for the consumer, public and real estate professionals by adopting international standards for efficient and effective practices.
- To advocate the right of Ghanaians to own, use and transfer property without any problems and also to fulfilling the hope and dream of property ownership.
ASSOCIATION MISSION
- To aggressively promote the optimum utilisation and growth of Real Estate Services in Ghana based on core values of being ethical, noble, accountable.
- To provide the most accurate information, future- focused education, invaluable networking and building a reputation for our members.
MEMBERSHIP PROFILES
- Professional Members
- Registered Real Estate Brokers/Agents, Marketing Executives, Property Managers etc
- Associate Members
- All other professionals not directly related to the Real Estate Industry; Lawyers, Insurance Brokers, Financial Advisors, Mortgage Consultants, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Architects, Home Inspectors, Contractors, Licensed and Certified Artisans etc. Painters, Plumbers, Electricians etc.
- Academic Members
- Persons involved or retired from full-time teaching/research in Real Estate and Allied areas at accredited research institutions of higher education or government agencies.
- Student Members
- Full/Part-time students studying Real Estate and related courses at accredited institutions of higher education
- Corporate/Sponsorship Members
- Any Corporate Body interested in being part of the Association
- Honorary Members
- Individuals of high standing may be elected as life-time honorary members by vote of the Board of Directors.
MILESTONES
- Since January 2009
- Founded by Mrs. Vicky Sampah
- Registered as a Non-governmental Association under the Laws of Ghana
- Made Formal contacts and introduction to the Ministry of Works and housing
- Maiden radio interview by Vibe FM introducing the association to the general public
- Over 70 Real Estate Professionals so far registered as Members
- Acquired Office premises at # 85 Freetown Ave. East Legon, Accra
ONGOING PROJECTS /PROGRAMS / ACTIVITIES
THE GHANA SCORE CARD PROJECT
This project aims to develop a robust framework for objectively measuring the effectiveness of property markets in Ghana. Balanced Scorecards to be generated would enhance the understanding and interconnectedness of the local and international property market. The Scorecard project has been successful in countries like Kenya and South Africa with support from the USAID, CIPE and IRPF.
The project would be a catalyst for capacity buildingorganizations to support the development financial intermediary at all levels in the country. It will also serve as a guide to investors as well as Government in Policy making.
GREPA will offer local and international students the opportunity to part in this project in partial fulfillment of their degrees. 2 students for the Johns Hopkins University have started working on the Desktop and GREPA is taking applications from students at the University of Science and Technology.
GREPA WEBSITE
The GREPA domain repagh.org has be registered and website is being developed in consultation with a Chicago based website consultancy specializing in the development of Association websites - Webitects
THE MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICES (MLS) PROJECT
A system that will pull all our professionals together on a common marketplace, enable them establish contractual offers of compensation , facilitate cooperation with each other, accumulates and disseminates information to enable appraisals, and serve as a facility for the orderly correlation and dissemination of listing information to better serve broker's clients, customers and the public.
- GREPA Membership Recruitment Drive
We are currently embarking on a national campaign to get industry
professionals involved in building the industry to meet global standards
•GREPA REAL ESTATE LIBRIARY
Space in the GREPA office has been allocated for a library for Real
Real Estate matters.
- GREPA Launch Event in September 2013
Plans to officially launch the Association and its long term programs underway
- GREPA ETHICS: Training Program to start in July 2013
- GREPA Basic REAL Estate Training Program starts July 2013
REAL ESTATE INSTITUITE OF GHANA (REIG)
Plans to offer real estate pre-license, post-license and continuing education courses in a comfortable classroom atmosphere in Accra
Industry professionals will earn prestigious credentials and certifications and designations from accredited institutions such as FIABCI.
Courses to be offered:
Leasing
Property Management
Real Estate Law
Ethics in Real Estate
Home Inspections
Contracts
Valuations
FIABCI –GHANA CHAPTER
- Plans to start a FIABCI chapter in Ghana by May of 2014 is underway!
- Some members are starting the FIREC training this year.
- BENEFITS
- GLOBAL NETWORKING
- PROXIO
- EDUCATION
- EXPOSURE
SUPPORT!
We recognize that this is a monumental task we have embarked upon, and it is obvious we need all the help we can get. We are desperately in need of any form of assistance and Patnerships to implement the core values we have identified to pursue in order to help bring some sanity, discipline and orderliness into the real estate industry in our beloved country, Ghana and like to see the Country Ghana move forward and count on all your support .
CONTACTS
Physical Location: #85 Freetown Ave.
East Legon, Accra
Mailing Address: PMB 193 KIA
Airport, Accra
Phone: 0302-54-3153
0206-05-2267
0269-57-4186
US Contacts: 815-733-5511
Fax: 0302-52-1805
Email:
Website:
Presentation compiled by:
Vicky Sampah, MBA, MSRE, REALTOR®
FOUNDER/ PRESIDENT -GREPA