Kwame Owusu Danso (KOD), Vice Presidential candidate for the Movement for Change led by Alan Kyerematen, has called out the government for its lack of decisive action on housing reform.
Speaking to residents of Texpo, a community along the Sakumono road in Spintex, KOD expressed deep concern about the living conditions of young Ghanaians forced into makeshift shelters due to high rent and an alarming housing shortage.
During his visit, KOD described how escalating rent prices and limited housing options have severely impacted urban families, especially young adults.
“Families, especially young people, are resorting to living in kiosks because they can no longer afford the ever-increasing rent in urban areas. This is unacceptable,” KOD stated emphatically.
“It is a failure of successive governments, and it is high time we took decisive action to solve this crisis.”
Kwame Owusu Danso, Vice Presidential candidate for the Movement for Change
The housing situation in Ghana has been a pressing issue for years, with a shortfall of over two million housing units, a gap that widens as urbanization and population growth outpace housing construction.
The result is a steep increase in property demand, driving up costs and putting homeownership beyond the reach of many Ghanaians.
In major urban areas like Accra and Kumasi, rent prices have surged, with even modest accommodations demanding fees that are often unaffordable for lower-income residents and young professionals.
While government has made attempts to address the housing deficit, these efforts have largely fallen short, leaving residents struggling.
For many young Ghanaians, including university graduates and entry-level workers, the dream of owning a home seems almost unattainable. The high cost of urban rent has become an enormous burden, with citizens forced to spend a significant portion of their income on housing.
Movement for Change’s Commitment to Affordable Housing
Kwame Owusu Danso outlined the Movement for Change’s housing policy under the leadership of Alan Kyerematen. The policy, he stated, is centered on prioritizing affordable housing, aiming to make safe, secure, and affordable homes accessible for all Ghanaians.
“A home is not just a place to live; it is the foundation of a stable and prosperous life.
“That is why, under the Movement for Change, we will prioritize affordable housing and work with both the public and private sectors to find lasting solutions to this problem.”
Kwame Owusu Danso, Vice Presidential candidate for the Movement for Change
Under this policy, the Kyerematen administration promises to collaborate with real estate developers, financial institutions, and local governments to lower construction costs and increase the availability of affordable homes.
By adopting a public-private partnership model, the Movement for Change aims to construct new housing units, renovate existing structures, and introduce financing options to assist low- and middle-income families.
The Movement for Change also plans to address the bureaucratic barriers that hinder housing development. Danso cited inefficient land registration and permitting processes as significant obstacles for prospective homeowners and developers alike.
Voices of Texpo Residents: A Community in Crisis
Residents of the Texpo community shared their frustrations over the government’s handling of the housing crisis, voicing concerns that reflect the experience of many Ghanaians.
One resident lamented, “I’ve lived here for over two years, but the rent keeps going up, and it’s becoming harder to survive. The government doesn’t seem to care about people like us. We don’t want to live in kiosks, but what choice do we have when we cannot afford a proper home?”
A community leader shared, “We’ve been neglected for too long by those in power. We believe that Alan Kyerematen can bring the change we need. We are ready to support him, and we will vote in large numbers to make sure that his plans for affordable housing become a reality.”
Kwame Owusu Danso reaffirmed the Movement for Change’s commitment to tackling the housing crisis, promising transformative policies that he hopes will bring long-term stability and prosperity to Ghana’s urban and rural communities alike.
READ ALSO: Ruger Slams Nigerian Music Industry
