President John Mahama told the National Conference on Housing Finance that he and First Lady Lordina Mahama faced a grueling search for a home when they left his father’s house to start married life. The couple ultimately settled on a property on Madina New Road after covering significant distances across Accra with estate agents in pursuit of something that was both suitable and affordable.
Mahama said the journey involved travelling miles through the sprawling city, paying substantial fees that almost ruined their finances before marriage began. He highlighted the chalewote fees, multi‑year rent advances and an extra month’s rent paid to the agent that placed a heavy strain on their budget.
He warned that many young Ghanaians experience similar challenges, with large rent advances depleting savings that could otherwise fund education or small businesses. The President stressed that the housing crisis is not just a statistic but a human reality, urging that future deliberations consider the impact on families seeking security and a better future.
The conference cited a 2024 Ghana Housing Profile showing a deficit of 1.8 million units and more than 30 percent of existing housing as inadequate. Mahama called for both new construction and improvements to existing homes, addressing overcrowding, insecure tenure, poor sanitation and lack of utilities.
He concluded that new homes must be safe, accessible and connected to jobs and essential services to truly meet the needs of Ghanaians.
