The National Tenants’ Union of Ghana has described the government’s affordable home project as a’scam.’
The Union posited that although the government and successive ones had always claimed to construct and sell affordable homes, the opposite has been the truth.
Mr. Frederick Opoku, the General Secretary of the Union, lamented that the government claims to be building affordable homes at Pokuase, but the cost of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units under the government’s housing schemes at Pokuase is approximately $20,800, $34,000, and $42,000, respectively.
How can we purchase these so-called affordable homes if they are being sold at such exorbitant prices? These are not affordable homes. These homes that only the rich can afford. How can you sell the homes at these prices and describe them as affordable homes? This is outrageously unaffordable for over 95% ofGhanaian workers, both in the public and private sectors. The NPP’s 2024 housing policy, titled “Access to housing for all,” once again promises social and affordable housing, despite failing to deliver on similar promises made in 2020.”
Speaking on an interview on Nyankonton Mu on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he also lamented that the National Rental Assistance Scheme has not been properly implemented.
He said only salaried workers are qualified to apply for the scheme, limiting the number and making it impossible for some 95 percent of qualified persons to apply.
He further stated that the Rent Law is not working with the Rent Control Department in charge of regulating rent in Ghana and is now a toothless bulldog.
“The Rent Law is no longer effective. Landlords are flouting the Rent Law and taking two to three years rent when the law has explicitly asked them to take not more than six months. They are also increasing their rent in clear violation of the law. The Rent Control Department, which is supposed to regulate the sector, is now a toothless bulldog. Both the NDC and NPP have made promises and failed to deliver on them. We no longer want promises, but we want the enforcement to work. They keep recycling their promises, and yet they have failed to deliver on them.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
