Ghana Institute of Architects Calls for Coordinated National Housing Agenda
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The Ghana Institute of Architects has urged government to adopt a coordinated national housing agenda with measurable targets and sustainable funding, warning that homeownership alone cannot solve the country's housing challenge.
The Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) has called for coordinated national action to ensure access to safe, habitable and affordable housing, as Ghana joined the global community to mark World Architecture Day 2026.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued and signed by the Institute's President, Tony Asare, ahead of the event on Monday, October 5, on the theme “Housing is a Human Right. Build It.” The Institute said every person deserved safe and affordable housing, essential services and security of tenure, adding that achieving that required coordinated policies, serviced land, skilled labour, suitable building materials, infrastructure and accessible finance.
The GIA called for the National Housing Policy, 2015, to be reviewed and updated and aligned with the National Urban Policy and Implementation Plan 2026–2035. It wants the revised policy to set measurable housing targets, define institutional responsibilities, establish sustainable funding mechanisms and require regular public reporting on progress.
The Institute said Ghana's housing system should provide diverse options, including homeownership, supported incremental construction, affordable rental housing and targeted social housing to meet the needs of different income groups. It also proposed a legally grounded inclusionary housing framework that would require qualifying residential developments to provide a prescribed proportion of affordable units or make an approved equivalent contribution.
The GIA proposed that any Ghana Housing Authority be established through the appropriate legislative process with a clearly defined mandate and effective accountability. It urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to integrate the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy 2026–2035 into their development plans and budgets, prioritising water, sanitation, drainage, access roads and fire safety, with residents actively involved.
It further called for expanded affordable rental housing, starter homes, carefully structured rent-to-own schemes and employer-assisted housing for low-income households and young people, stronger enforcement of existing tenancy protections, completion of rent-law reforms, and links between housing delivery and technical and vocational education and training. “The right to adequate housing must translate into funded programmes, accountable institutions and safe, affordable homes,” the Institute said.