The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Mr Koldo Casla, has urged the Government to prioritise affordable housing for low-income earners, warning that rising costs are pushing many Ghanaians into informal settlements and substandard accommodation.
He said housing policies must address the needs of working people, who constitute the majority of the population, rather than promote property developments beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.
Mr Casla made the call in a statement issued at the end of a 12-day official visit to Ghana, during which he raised concerns about housing affordability and accessibility, particularly in urban areas.
He observed that extensive construction and real estate investments in Accra were being promoted at prices far beyond what the average Ghanaian could afford.
“Many of these properties remain vacant, which suggests that much of the construction in wealthy parts of Accra seem to meet speculative financial ends other than satisfying the right to adequate housing of the population,” he said.
Mr Casla said the high cost of formally built housing left many Ghanaians with little choice but to settle in informal communities or occupy substandard accommodation.
The statement estimated that about 31 per cent of Ghana’s urban population lived in informal settlements, while conservative estimates put the number of homeless people at approximately 100,000, including 60,000 children.
He urged the authorities to ensure that public policies reflected the needs of people living in poverty and that housing was prioritised in national development planning.
On evictions, Mr Casla said forced removals without prior consultation and proper compensation must end.
He also called for stronger rent regulation to protect tenants from excessive increases and high advance rent demands.
More than a third of Ghanaians paid rent for their homes, with the proportion rising to more than 40 per cent in urban areas, the statement said.
Mr Casla urged the Government to strengthen the Rent Control Department and other relevant institutions to improve the monitoring of rent increases and protect tenants against excessive advance rent demands.
He, however, welcomed the adoption of several housing-related policies in recent years and commended Ghana’s diplomatic leadership on reparations for historical injustices.
He also praised the communal spirit of Ghanaians and expressed gratitude to the people for their hospitality and generosity during his visit.
