A research dissemination workshop on “Self-Build Housing and Economic Growth” has been held in Accra.
The workshop was organised by the Centre for Democratic Development (CCD-Ghana), the London School of Economics and Political Science, the Economic and Social Research Council, and the University of Ghana.
The workshop, which drew participants from ministries, academia, local assemblies, and civil society organisations CSOs, was to discuss measures to address Ghana’s housing challenges.
A Senior Lecturer at the of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana, Professor
George Owusu, speaking at the workshop urged the government to regulate informal private housing (self-build) projects to prevent building collapses due to a lack of reinforcement and oversight.
He explained that issues of permitting and planning urbanisation had caused more harm than galamsey.
He noted that in a country where over 90 per cent of houses were self-built, institutions such as municipalities, district assemblies, and other state agencies should facilitate the construction of affordable and sustainable homes.
The research further revealed that the contribution of real estate companies and the formal housing sub-sector had remained remarkably low, primarily catering to high-income households and Ghanaians in the diaspora.
Prof. Owusu also stated that the housing sector had robust linkages with virtually all sectors of the economy, and the performance of the sector largely determined the health of the overall national economy.
However, he cautioned that all data and analysis on the Ghanaian housing sector should be taken as indicators of trends that would benefit from improved data in the future.
Moreover, Prof. Owusu noted that the government’s National Housing Policy and Action Plan, introduced in 2015, was a good policy but failed in its implementation.
The Director of Policy Engagement and Partnerships at CDD-Ghana, Dr Kojo Pumpuni Asante, emphasised the significance of the research, stating that it will inform policymakers to implement effective policies and models in the housing sector.
He mentioned that CDD-Ghana had launched the Ghana Cities Monitor, now in its second year, aimed at addressing the needs of urban dwellers, who make up the majority of the population.
Dr Asante expressed concern that despite numerous attempts by various governments to address pressing housing issues, little to no meaningful development had been achieved over the years.
BY EBO GORMAN
