International Human Rights advocate, Raphael Godlove Ahenu, has made a passionate call on the Government of Ghana to take drastic measures to control the rising cost of rent across the country.
He warned that the current situation is worsening the living conditions of marginalised and vulnerable groups, especially young people and retired workers, who are increasingly unable to afford decent housing.
According to Ahenu, the exorbitant rent charges being demanded by landlords amount to a violation of the fundamental human right to decent shelter.
“The high cost of rent in Ghana is denying many hardworking citizens the right to a decent place of abode. It is time for the government to act decisively to protect the poor and vulnerable,” he stated.
Ahenu called on the government to strictly enforce Ghana’s Rent Control Law, ensuring that landlords who breach its provisions are sanctioned.
He further urged authorities to close the housing deficit by building affordable housing units targeted at low-income earners across the country.
He emphasised that the uncontrolled rent increases are also fueling corruption in both the public and private sectors, as individuals struggle to make ends meet.
“How can a two-bedroom self-contained apartment cost over GH¢4,000 per month in parts of Ghana, with landlords demanding two years’ rent in advance? How much does the average worker earn? This situation pushes some people into corruption just to provide shelter for their families,” Ahenu lamented.
He reiterated that affordable housing is a key pillar of social justice and must be prioritised as part of Ghana’s national development agenda.
“Access to safe and affordable housing is not a privilege — it is a basic human right that every Ghanaian deserves,” he added.
Ahenu called for collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society to develop sustainable solutions that ensure decent housing for all, especially those in vulnerable communities.
