The State Housing Company Limited (SHC) announced on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, that it has engaged Aynok Holdings Limited, a private asset recovery firm, to conduct a nationwide audit and recover its encroached lands. The move comes as a 21‑day ultimatum to unauthorised occupants expires on Thursday, 15 October 2026.
SHC, a state‑owned housing developer founded in 1956, manages 94 estates and more than 30,000 housing units across Ghana. Deputy Managing Director Samuel Atukwei Quaye said the company has suffered revenue losses and project delays due to illegal occupation and use of its properties. “When the company is starved of its assets and of its revenue, it cannot fulfil its full mandate,” he told reporters at the Accra press briefing.
The recovery exercise aims to address encroachment, unauthorised occupation, expired leases, unapproved developments and the sale or subletting of SHC properties by persons without the requisite authority. SHC had issued a warning to encroachers on 16 February 2026, which was largely ignored, and a final notice was published in the national media on 24 September 2026, giving occupants 21 days to regularise their occupation.
Quaye stressed that the exercise is not intended to render people homeless and that occupants with genuine documentation would not be affected. Those who have no valid interest in the properties and fail to comply with the notice will face lawful action. “No one, however placed, is above this exercise,” he said.
Aynok Holdings’ Group Chief Executive Clemence Gyato said the firm has supported public institutions in recovering encroached state lands since 2012. He added that Aynok would assist SHC with audit, mapping, field operations, logistics and recovery activities under SHC’s direction, but would not own, allocate or sell SHC lands. “No unlawful demolition, eviction or use of force will be carried out by or in the name of Aynok Holdings Limited,” he assured.
Both companies warned the public against buying, leasing or developing SHC land without first verifying its status with the company and urged payments related to SHC properties to be made only through official channels. Demands for money or threats to the task force hotline or the nearest police station should be reported immediately.
SHC’s recovery drive is set to conclude on 15 October 2026, after which any remaining unauthorised occupants will be subject to legal proceedings. The company remains open to occupants with legitimate documentation or those willing to regularise their status or settle outstanding debts.
