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Housing shortfall driving rent advance exploitation – John Dramani Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has attributed the growing issue of excessive rent advance payments in Ghana to the country’s housing deficit.
He made the remarks during a public engagement on housing and sanitation in Accra on Thursday March 19,2026, where he outlined challenges facing households and proposed solutions to improve access to affordable housing.
He explained that the shortage of housing has created a situation where private landlords take advantage of tenants by demanding more than the legally approved rent advance.
He noted that although the law limits rent advance to six months, both tenants and landlords often avoid the rent courts and settle such arrangements privately.
He added that tenants, in most cases, agree to pay up to two years’ rent in advance because they urgently need accommodation and fear losing available spaces.
According to him, the situation continues because of the gap between housing demand and supply.
He called for a national housing dialogue involving government, the private sector and organised labour to develop a social housing policy.
He stressed that such a policy would help provide affordable housing options for workers, either through mortgage schemes or rental arrangements at reasonable prices.
He also pointed to successful housing models in countries like Kenya, where large scale housing projects have been implemented for public sector workers.
He further explained that past mortgage systems in Ghana discouraged home ownership because they were tied to the US dollar, making repayment difficult due to currency fluctuations.
He said stability of the local currency is key to improving mortgage accessibility, adding that predictable depreciation would allow workers to plan and manage payments more effectively.
He urged stakeholders to work together to maintain a stable economy, noting that it would benefit both homeowners and prospective buyers.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Dramani Mahama joined the National Chief Imam, Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, and the Muslim community at the Black Star Square for Eid ul-Fitr prayers, marking the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.
In his address, the President underscored that Eid represents not only a moment of celebration but also a call to sustain the values of discipline, sacrifice, and compassion cultivated during Ramadan. He urged Ghanaians to carry forward the spirit of the holy month in their daily interactions, promoting unity, tolerance, and mutual respect.
President Mahama reaffirmed government’s commitment to inclusive national development, emphasizing that efforts are being made to ensure that progress reaches every part of the country. He noted that national development requires a shared responsibility between government and citizens.
Highlighting Ghana’s long-standing tradition of religious harmony, the President described the nation as a shining example of peaceful coexistence and called on all citizens to safeguard this unity by rejecting division and fostering national cohesion.
The National Chief Imam commended the President for his leadership and fulfillment of commitments to the Ghanaian people, and offered prayers for his continued strength, wisdom, and success. He further called on all government appointees to support the President in advancing policies aimed at improving the lives of citizens.
The President also extended his warm wishes to all Muslims in Ghana on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr and prayed for continued peace, stability, and prosperity for the nation.
The Government of Ghana says it will engage authorities in Burkina Faso following the West African country’s recent ban on the export of fresh tomatoes.
The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry confirmed in a press release that the ban, which took effect on March 16, 2026, has prompted Ghana to open discussions with its neighbours to find a mutually beneficial solution.
The government said the talks will involve relevant state institutions and aim to address concerns surrounding the suspension while protecting the interests of Ghanaian traders and consumers.
The ministry urged tomato traders to remain calm as efforts are underway to secure an amicable resolution.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to boosting local tomato production through the “Feed Ghana” and “Feed the Industry” programmes.
These initiatives it said are designed to increase domestic output to meet market demand and reduce reliance on imports.
By: Jacob Aggrey
