Honourable Ahmed Ibrahim has criticised the slow pace of Ghana’s response to the housing deficit, questioning why neighbouring countries are recording major housing gains while Ghana continues to struggle with inadequate housing supply. The newly appointed Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources argued that the situation requires urgent national action, stronger financing and closer cooperation among institutions responsible for the sector.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony at the Ministry, Honourable Ibrahim compared Ghana’s housing delivery with developments in neighbouring Ivory Coast. He noted that the scale of construction in the neighbouring country raised questions about Ghana’s ability to mobilise resources and implement housing programmes at the required pace.
“What is wrong with us as a country? Ivory Coast is building 50,000 houses while Ghana is unable to build 15,000 houses.”
Honourable Ahmed Ibrahim
The Banda Member of Parliament explained that Ghana’s housing challenge could not be addressed through the efforts of the Works, Housing and Water Resources Ministry alone. According to him, the scale of the deficit requires financial support from government as well as commitment from institutions involved in housing development.
Honourable Ibrahim further identified the Finance Ministry as a critical partner in delivering housing projects and other infrastructure programmes. From his perspective, financial backing must accompany policy decisions if the country is to make meaningful progress in housing, flooding and water supply.
The new Minister also called for a more open working relationship within government institutions to improve the implementation of projects. He argued that closer cooperation would enable the ministry to combine its technical responsibilities with the financial and administrative support required to deliver results.
Addressing ministry staff, Honourable Ibrahim stressed the importance of transparency in managing the sector and urged officials to work collectively towards the government’s objectives. He explained that President John Dramani Mahama expected government agencies to cooperate closely in delivering programmes for citizens.
The Minister also assured his predecessor that ongoing initiatives would receive attention as the new administration of the ministry takes shape. He indicated that existing projects would provide a foundation for further work as his leadership focuses on addressing housing shortages and infrastructure challenges.
Ghana’s housing deficit remains one of the major issues confronting the country, with the Minister’s remarks placing renewed emphasis on the need for practical solutions. The challenge also extends to flooding in Accra and other urban areas as well as projects such as the Saglemi Housing Project, which has remained incomplete for several years.
New Minister Of Works Takes Charge As Predecessor Moves To Defence
The ministerial transition has formally placed Honourable Ahmed Ibrahim in charge of the Works, Housing and Water Resources Ministry following President John Dramani Mahama’s recent Cabinet changes. He assumed responsibility from Honourable Kenneth Gilbert Adjei during an official handing over ceremony in Accra.
The change is a wider redistribution of ministerial responsibilities under the Mahama administration. Honourable Adjei has been reassigned to the Ministry of Defence while the new Minister moves from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to take charge of the infrastructure related portfolio.
The handing over ceremony provided an opportunity for the outgoing Minister to transfer administrative responsibility to his successor. Both ministers completed the necessary formalities as management and staff witnessed the transition.
Honourable Adjei used the occasion to outline some of the areas that received attention during his tenure at the ministry. These included housing delivery, water access, flooding interventions and efforts to revive development projects that require sustained government attention.
The Saglemi Housing Project featured among the major issues associated with the ministry’s housing responsibilities. Its prolonged unfinished status has made it a significant part of the national discussion on affordable housing and the effective use of public resources.
The outgoing Minister also recognised the contribution of management and staff to the work undertaken during his period in office. He urged officials to extend the same level of cooperation to his successor as the ministry enters another phase of its administration by saying, “I can’t thank you enough.”
The farewell also marked the end of Honourable Adjei’s tenure at the ministry after serving there from February 2025 to August 2026. His reassignment to Defence gives him responsibility for a different area of government policy and national administration.
Honourable Adjei brings previous experience in the defence sector to the new assignment, having served as Deputy Defence Minister between 2015 and 2017. His movement therefore represents a return to an area in which he previously held ministerial responsibilities.
The transition brings a portfolio with several pressing national priorities for Honourable Ibrahim. Housing delivery, water infrastructure and flood management remain central areas requiring sustained planning, investment and coordination across government.
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