The National Tenants Union has disclosed that there was no consultation between the Union and the Rent Control Department on the launch of the digital platform.
The platform was developed with the goal of closing the gaps in Ghana’s traditional rental service system.
The union said although the union is a big stakeholder in the housing and renting sector, they are usually not consulted on such matters.
According to General Secretary Frederick Opoku, the platform was launched with good intentions, but they know nothing about it.
The Rent Control Department has launched a digital platform.
The platform, rentcontrol.mwh.gov.gh, will allow both landlords and tenants to handle crucial tasks online, such as registering properties, filing complaints, and resolving disputes, without visiting the Rent Control offices in person.
The platform has the ability to facilitate the digital signing of tenancy agreements, streamlining rental processes and eliminating the need for physical paperwork.
Mr. Opoku noted that if the platform were not one of the nine-day wonders of policies launched in this country, it would serve greater purposes.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr. Opoku disclosed that he only got to know about the platform through the media.
“The National Tenants Union is a major stakeholder when it comes to housing and rent in Ghana, but we are not consulted on matters affecting us. Unfortunately, can you believe that when the government planned to roll out the rental scheme, we were only invited to speak at the ceremony, and after that, we have not heard anything about it again? I can also state categorically that I heard only about the digital platform on radio.
The Union was not invited. We were also not consulted. We only heard that they had launched the digital platform. Honestly, I have not accessed the platform. I don’t know how it works. We have nothing to say about it. Until we have done that, we cannot say anything about it. I believe it is a good initiative, but they should have consulted us and invited us to the event.”
He maintained that the government must always consider them as stakeholders when designing or planning any initiative on housing and rent.
He added that if well implemented, this digital platform will make it easier for tenants to find accommodation without intermediaries such as agents.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
