Ghana’s housing crisis is deepening as an unchecked surge in rural-urban migration continues to overwhelm urban infrastructure, with Accra bearing the brunt of the strain.
According to Sammy Amegayibor, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Real Estate Development Association (GREDA), the capital’s rapid population growth is pushing rent prices to unsustainable levels and stretching household budgets.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show, Amegayibor noted that Accra’s appeal as an economic hub is attracting thousands of new residents, but without matching infrastructure and housing development.
“People believe Accra offers the best opportunities, but what we are seeing is infrastructure collapse and a cost-of-living crisis driven by rising rents,” he said.
He added that many Ghanaians now spend over half their income on rent, leaving little room for basic needs like food, transportation, and healthcare.
Beyond demand, the affordability issue is also tied to deep-rooted structural challenges facing developers. Amegayibor explained that despite efforts to build low-income housing, developers face harsh market conditions, inflation, and burdensome regulations.
“Even when developers try to build for the lower-income bracket, the economic realities make it impossible to price homes within the reach of average workers,” he said.
The housing situation underscores the urgent need for policy shifts. Experts are calling for balanced regional development to curb rural-urban migration and investments in public housing and urban planning to mitigate the pressure on cities like Accra.
Without coordinated interventions, Ghana risks worsening inequality and further pushing low- and middle-income citizens out of secure housing options.
