SAGLEMI, Ghana, 20th August: President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans for an expanded national housing programme aimed at increasing access to affordable homes and reducing the burden of high rent advances on Ghanaian families.
The President disclosed that government is preparing a major national housing programme which will be announced by the Finance Minister in the next national budget.
Speaking during an inspection of the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project, President Mahama said Saglemi represented only one component of the government’s broader strategy to address Ghana’s housing deficit.
“Saglemi is not the last housing project,” he said.
He disclosed that the Ministry responsible for Housing is already working on a District Housing Scheme, with GH¢500 million allocated in the 2026 budget.
According to the President, construction of district housing projects will begin this year in selected districts as government begins rolling out a new housing vision over the next four years.
President Mahama said increasing the supply of affordable and social housing was critical to helping more Ghanaians own homes while easing pressure on the rental market.
He argued that an increase in housing supply would not only promote home ownership but could also make rental accommodation more affordable for those who choose to rent.
The President also addressed the issue of rent advances, noting that although Ghana’s law provides that rent advance should not exceed six months, enforcement remains difficult.
He said both landlords and tenants often fail to report violations, making it difficult for authorities to enforce the law effectively.
“Our long-term solution is therefore to increase the supply of decent and affordable housing across the country,” he said.
President Mahama further disclosed that several financial institutions had developed mortgage products to support prospective homeowners at Saglemi.
He said the Home Ownership Fund and other financial institutions were prepared to support the payment of the 10 percent deposit and provide affordable mortgages at relatively low interest rates.
The President said such financing arrangements would make it easier for more Ghanaians to acquire homes without being subjected to prohibitive upfront costs.
He described the Saglemi project as part of the government’s broader vision of expanding home ownership and reducing the pressure created by excessive rent advances.
Meanwhile, the first 700 units at Saglemi are expected to be ready for commissioning by March 2027, while 1,500 units are scheduled to be completed by December 2027.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭