Accra:The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing has recommended that Ghana bolster its Rent Control Department with the necessary resources to improve its functionality.
According to Ghana News Agency, Koldo Casla, the UN Special Rapporteur, stressed the importance of strengthening institutional mechanisms to effectively monitor and prevent arbitrary rent hikes that negatively impact tenants. He also pointed out the general unaffordability of formally built housing, which forces many Ghanaians into informal settlements.
Casla's comments came following a 12-day official visit to Ghana, where he observed significant changes in housing construction and urban transformation, particularly in Accra. He noted the presence of expensive real estate investments promoted in the capital, which are beyond the financial reach of the average Ghanaian.
The statement revealed that approximately 31 percent of Ghana's urban population resides in informal settlements, with a significant number also experiencing homelessness. It urged authorities to consider the needs of impoverished citizens when devising housing policies.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted the construction industry's importance as one of Ghana's leading and fastest-growing sectors, employing hundreds of thousands and contributing between seven and 15 percent to the country's GDP.