By Edward Dankwah
Accra, Oct. 5, GNA – The Government of Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to making decent, safe, affordable and inclusive housing accessible to all Ghanaians, with measures being implemented to expand housing finance, decentralise housing delivery and improve living conditions in underserved communities.
The commitment was established in a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to commemorate World Habitat Day 2026, on the global theme, “Adequate Housing for All.”
The statement said housing was more than a physical structure, as it provided security, dignity and a foundation for families and communities to thrive.
It said many Ghanaians continued to face significant barriers to homeownership and decent accommodation due to high land prices, rising construction and infrastructure costs, and limited access to affordable housing finance.
Data from the Ghana Statistical Service cited in the statement states that only about five per cent of Ghanaians could secure housing without assistance, while approximately 60 per cent required state-facilitated support and 30 per cent remained unable to access housing even with government subsidies.
The Government said it was responding to the challenges through policies and programmes aimed at improving housing affordability, expanding access to housing finance, and decentralising housing development across the country.
The statement said strategic partnerships with private developers were being used to facilitate access to land, basic infrastructure and credible off-takers, while leveraging private sector expertise and investment in housing development.
It said the National Mortgage Scheme, being implemented in partnership with the National Housing Fund and Republic Bank, was expected to provide mortgage financing at an interest rate of approximately 8.4 per cent per annum, with repayment periods of up to 20 years.
The scheme was intended to give more Ghanaians, particularly those excluded from traditional mortgage markets, the opportunity to own decent homes.
It said the Government was also implementing the Greenville District Housing Programme and the National Rental Assistance Scheme to expand housing choices and improve access to affordable accommodation beyond the major urban centres.
On inclusive housing, the statement said ground-floor units in ongoing housing developments were being reserved for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), to enhance accessibility.
It added that implementing agencies had also been directed to engage disability groups and incorporate accessibility considerations into the planning, design, and implementation of housing projects.
“Provisions to strengthen inclusive housing delivery were also being incorporated into the ongoing review of the National Housing Policy,” it stressed.
The statement highlighted the launch in July 2026 of the National Urban Policy and Implementation Plan (2026-2035) and the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy and Implementation Plan (2026-2035) as key frameworks for addressing Ghana’s housing and urban development challenges.
It said the National Urban Policy prioritised investment in affordable and social housing, including increasing access to low-income rental housing, expanding housing opportunities in slums and informal settlements, streamlining housing development approvals and encouraging greater participation by private sector and other non-state actors.
The Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy, would support measures including land tenure regularisation, provision of public land for low-cost housing, expansion of rental housing, land pooling and readjustment schemes, innovative housing finance mechanisms and affordable and resilient building technologies, it said.
Again, adequate housing must also be supported by essential infrastructure and services, including potable water, sanitation, roads, electricity, drainage systems and public spaces, it said.
It therefore pledged to continue promoting integrated housing development in collaboration with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, the private sector, financial institutions, development partners, and other stakeholders.
The statement also acknowledged the contribution of UN-Habitat to Ghana’s housing and urban development efforts, including technical and financial support for the preparation of Ghana’s Housing Profile 2024 and the development of the two 2026-2035 urban policy frameworks.
It called on government institutions, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, development partners, the private sector and citizens, to support efforts towards achieving adequate housing for all.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo