The Member of Parliament of Ketu North, Eric Edem Agbana, has called for reforms within the country's rental housing sector to ensure affordability and accessibility.

Making his first formal statement on the Floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 13, 2025, he expressed worry over the high cost of rent in the country.

"Ghana’s rent regime, a system that has become a major source of frustration and hardship for millions of Ghanaians, particularly the youth, low-income earners, and vulnerable groups. The cost of rent in Ghana is alarmingly high, access to affordable housing is limited, and the regulatory framework governing rent payments is largely ineffective. These challenges demand urgent and bold interventions if we are to provide decent living conditions for our people.

"Mr. Speaker, it is not surprising that when I conducted a survey on a social media platform called X, formerly Twitter, the rent regime was identified by most respondents as their number one challenge in Ghana. It is therefore imperative that we act with urgency, discuss this challenge, and proffer sustainable solutions," he remarked.

He stated that Ghana’s housing deficit, which exceeds two million units, has forced many citizens into overcrowded and substandard living conditions.

"Mr. Speaker, while the law stipulates that landlords should not demand more than six months’ rent in advance, enforcement is virtually nonexistent. It is common for landlords to demand two to three years’ rent in advance, in clear violation of the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220). Many tenants are forced to comply with these arbitrary demands due to the power imbalance between landlords and tenants," he added.

He also called for the urgent review of the Rent Bill, which was laid before Parliament in March 2023, emphasising that it aligns with commitments made by President John Dramani Mahama in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections.

"This should serve as a wake-up call to urgently address the rent crisis facing the people of this country. This is important because President Mahama also promised same in the run-up to the 2024 general elections," he indicated.

The MP proposed several reforms, including restructuring the Rent Control Department into a Ghana Rent Authority to enhance regulatory oversight, introducing a National Rent Assistance Scheme, and ensuring the enforcement of rent pricing regulations.

"Imagine the plight of a young graduate from Penyi Tamekorpe, posted to the DVLA head office in Accra for her national service. How can she raise, on average, 36,000 Ghana Cedis to pay a two-year rent advance for a single room that costs 1,500 Ghana Cedis per month when her compulsory national service allowance is only 715 Ghana Cedis per month?" he remarked.

Edem Agbana also urged the government to collaborate with private developers to invest in affordable housing, introduce tax incentives for developers constructing rental units, and implement policies to stabilize the cost of building materials.

"The government must collaborate with private developers to build affordable housing units across the country, particularly in urban centers where rent is most expensive. This will significantly reduce the housing deficit. A new rent pricing framework must also be introduced to prevent landlords from arbitrarily increasing rent," he said.

Edem Agbana also called for swift action from Parliament to protect citizens from escalating rent burdens.

"The current rent situation in Ghana is unsustainable. It is an issue of national urgency that demands immediate and bold interventions. The citizens of this country deserve to live in dignity, and as leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that housing, a basic necessity, is accessible and affordable for all. I therefore humbly call on this Honourable House to act now and protect ordinary Ghanaians from the burden of excessive rent costs," he added.

JKB/AE

In the meantime, watch the story of the Ghanaian team that rode motorbikes from Accra to Dakar and back in 17 days, below: