The Minister for Works and Housing, Mr. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has reiterated the government’s commitment to advancing sustainable urban development and improving housing accessibility.
Speaking at the Resumed Second Session of the UN-Habitat General Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, he addressed Ghana’s pressing housing deficit, which currently stands at 1.8 million units, noting that 56.7% of the population lives in urban areas.
According to the Minister, this highlights the urgent need for structured urban planning and affordable housing solutions.
Mr. Adjei outlined national strategies such as Ghana Smart Sustainable Development Goals Cities Programme and the District Housing Programme, aimed at driving investment in climate-smart and affordable housing across underserved districts.
He endorsed ten resolutions adopted by the General Assembly, including the Strategic Plan for 2026–2029, reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to collaborating with Member States and partners to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
On the second day of the Resumed Second Session of the UN-Habitat General Assembly, the Minister participated in the African Ministerial Dialogue, which focused on housing challenges across the continent.
The session emphasized the need to prioritize housing in national development agendas, urging bold actions to accelerate delivery.
He stated that housing finance has been identified as a major challenge, requiring efficient resource allocation and the mobilization of local funding amidst dwindling aid and external support.
During a meeting with the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Mr. Adjei expressed appreciation for the collaboration in developing the National Housing Policy and the Climate Action Roadmap for Decarbonizing Construction.
On behalf of President Mahama, the Minister also expressed gratitude for UN-Habitat’s ongoing support in implementing the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
