Govt to Collaborate and Create Enabling Environment in Housing Sector – Minister Asenso-Boakye

Introduction:
Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the housing sector through collaboration with private developers. Speaking at the grand opening of Rehoboth Knightsbridge, the Minister praised the development as a landmark project in Ghana’s pursuit of affordable and luxurious housing.

Main Content:
At the commissioning event hosted by Rehoboth Properties Ltd, Asenso-Boakye applauded the company for helping reduce Ghana’s housing deficit through what he described as the largest affordable luxurious housing project by a private developer in Ghana and Africa.

He emphasised the government's intent to provide an enabling environment for private sector players by offering incentives and policy support that encourage sustainable development across the industry.

“It is without a doubt that the housing industry, as in many countries, holds the key to our development. I’m encouraged by the role Rehoboth is playing to meet these enormous challenges,” he stated. “As government, we will continue to collaborate and create the enabling environment for the housing sector to thrive.”

The Minister also addressed the country’s housing crisis, citing data from the 2021 Population and Housing Census. Ghana’s urban population now accounts for 57% of the total population, with an urbanisation rate of 5.8% since 2010, creating mounting pressure on housing availability and affordability.

While acknowledging that the housing deficit had reduced from over 2 million to 1.8 million units, Asenso-Boakye stressed that the sector still fails to meet the needs of the low- to middle-income earners, who remain the most vulnerable group.

He also noted that 12.7% of the housing units counted during the census were vacant, highlighting a structural issue where available housing does not align with affordability or location demands.

To address this, the Minister detailed several measures the government is implementing:

• Provision of free land and infrastructure services to housing developers

• Implementation of tax incentives to lower construction costs

• Introduction of policies encouraging GREDA members and private developers to partner with the government on long-term housing projects

“By reducing the cost of construction, we can make homes truly affordable,” he concluded. “I urge all private developers to work hand-in-hand with government to close the housing gap.”

Conclusion:
With strong government backing and private sector leadership from companies like Rehoboth Properties, Ghana’s housing sector is poised for transformation. As the country navigates urban growth and affordability challenges, collaborative initiatives like Rehoboth Knightsbridge offer a path toward inclusive development and national progress.