CEO of Spotlight Homes; Kweku Welsing Discusses Affordable Luxury Apartments in Ghana’s Real Estate Market

What is your vision and mission at Spotlight?

A few years ago, we decided to explore opportunities in Ghana. Exploring opportunities opens different avenues, but we started with real estate. When opportunities arise, it is up to the individual exposed to them to assess how beneficial they are. For me, we realized that real estate was the way forward.

This decision was also about contributing to our country, Ghana. This is why we chose to venture into real estate. We started last year, and the vision is to keep progressing. This is our first project, and the goal is to expand and offer opportunities. This includes creating employment and helping those unable to build their own homes or dream homes. We step in to build for them.

In a nutshell, that is the vision at the moment.

What is the competitive advantage of spotlight?

So what we see here is that you have a vision, you have a dream of how you’d like your home to look, and we share the same vision with you. When we are building, we build as though it’s ours. Yes, other competitors are brilliant at what they do, but we boast of building with attention to detail and ensuring that what we present to individuals meets their expectations.

Can you tell us what kind of buildings Spotlight homes is into?

At present, we are building townhomes in a gated community with seven detached properties. Some are three-bedroom, some four-bedroom. The vision is, as I said earlier, to build bespoke properties. We are in competition with others who have built luxurious houses and affordable houses, which is subjective. You may say you’re looking for an affordable house, but what’s affordable to you or what’s affordable to me may be different. You may look at it and think, “I can do better than that.” So when people say it’s affordable, it’s luxurious. Looking at you sitting here with your suits and shoes, we’re talking about affordable. You can afford this, but I might struggle. So what’s luxurious to you might not be to me, and vice versa.

What we try to do is get potential buyers involved and work with them throughout the process. We do not want to just build a property and say, “There you go, this is the price.” We want you to be part of the journey. Currently, we are working with a gentleman from the U.S., and it has been amazing to have that experience with him. We did a live video with him over the weekend, and we walked through, and he said, “Yes, this is what I’d like. Can you open this up a little for me? Can you use these materials?” We work with them throughout the journey because at the end of the day, it’s the potential purchaser who will live in there, not me.

Again, that’s one advantage. I believe we have the uniqueness of Spotlight Homes, and what we do is offer potential purchasers the opportunity to have a touch, so to speak, to their dream homes.

Will it focus more on off-plan properties, or will you offer standard two- and three-bedroom homes, or perhaps some cash options?

Of course, we aim to blend both approaches. Currently, we have four properties that are already roofed and three that are under construction and already standing. In terms of off-plan, we have moved beyond that stage for this project. However, it is not too late to accommodate individual plans when clients come forward. We are open to having those conversations.

For our next project, we hope to start directly with off-plan properties.

What’s your next plan?

Where we are right now is that we are aiming for something bigger. This is our first project, testing the waters, and it has been successful so far. The amazing thing is that we are working with some dedicated workmen. It is nice to have people share your vision and dream. Initially, people might drag their feet a little, but over time, as you have conversations with them, they begin to share your vision and dream. It gets to a stage where, even in your absence, you know they will deliver regardless.

For the next project, all I can say is watch this space. It is going to be bigger, and we will accommodate a wider target audience. At present, we are building three- and four-bedroom townhouses. Our next project will include apartments—two- and three-bedroom units. We are considering holiday homes and are also very mindful of the age groups we are building for.

When people are purchasing, they are often thinking 15 or 20 years ahead. We need to be mindful of this, particularly for buyers in their 40s or 50s, who will need to consider mobility in 20 to 30 years. For the next project, we will factor all of this in—things like internal lifts, bungalows, or single-floor homes.

We want to embrace the entire target market and ensure that we have something for everyone.

Where are the areas you have targeted and want to expand your project?

That is really important. Currently, where our estate is situated, I can confidently say that it takes 17 minutes to get there from Kotoka International Airport. I have tested it myself. Upon arrival, it is 17 minutes, but if you are departing, you should account for traffic and add another 5–10 minutes. The proximity is excellent.

The estate is located off Spintex Road, on Manet Road, heading toward Lekma. It is a prime area. Recently, the roads have been redone, so even from a popular place like Palace Mall, it takes only 5–7 minutes to reach the estate, and the roads are fully tarred. Proximity and location make it a prime development.

What do you think of real estate in general?

This era has seen a significant rise in real estate developers, and the good thing is that the industry is gradually being monitored and regulated. We joined many other real estate developers this year, and it is encouraging to see the progress being made in monitoring the sector. There is hope that legislation will be implemented to ensure proper regulation. There are a few really outstanding developers out there, and it is great to be part of this community.

What is your vision for the next five years? What achievements do you aim to accomplish with your houses?

Our goal is for purchasers to come in, enjoy their homes, and let the quality of our work speak for itself. We want people to have confidence in Spotlight Homes. We are not looking to rush or build everywhere; instead, we are taking things one step at a time.

In the next few years, we aim to be in a highly competitive position among real estate developers. For Spotlight Homes, the vision is to offer a range of properties, from two- and three-bedroom bungalows to apartments, and even entire communities. These communities would include amenities like cafes, clinics, and other facilities that enhance the living experience.

The vision is clear, and we are steadily working toward it. As the saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” and that is where we are right now. Thankfully, we have a strong network and great mentors supporting us, which gives us confidence in our journey forward.

Is there anything else you would like to address or share?

Well,  just like viewers are listening, we talk about opportunities. It is like going for a job interview and being asked, “What are you bringing to the table?” So, in the same way for us as Spotlight Homes, what are we bringing to the table? With our team of dedicated men and women, a team of experienced workers who share a vision and want to build properties that are not just houses but can easily be referred to as homes. That’s our focus. As we said earlier, we pay attention to detail in our building.

We are just about completing a show house ready for Christmas. We’ll share some videos and photos, and you can have a look at it. I’m sure you’ll enjoy what you see.

I will not put a figure to the prices, but I will say this: sometimes when you go to buy a BMW, perhaps an X1, you see the X5 and think, “Actually, you know what? Pretty soon, the kids will be growing, and we need a bigger car.” You might need a seven-seater, so it’s time to think about it. Similarly, when you’re buying a property, you might be considering a three-bedroom but think the four-bedroom might be too expensive. But you look at it, and you think, “I might as well get ready for the four-bedroom.” So why not put in the extra and secure the four-bedroom now, because you will grow into it.

When people talk about affordability and luxury, I think it’s about making it luxurious. It is  how you furnish it. We have done the strong foundation, and it is  how you furnish it. The location is prime, very sought-after. It’s close to many amenities: a hospital, the airport, local areas, and restaurants, garages, and more.

So, do not wait, it is a good opportunity to contact Spotlight Homes, and we can talk about it. Thank you.

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