Prof. Peter Quartey
Ghana’s housing sector is overwhelmingly dominated by self-builders or self-provisioned individuals and households.
According to a report by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), it accounts for 90% of the estimated 45,000 units delivered annually.
Despite its dominance of the Ghanaian housing sector, the report expressed worry that the self-built housing has not received adequate attention in terms of research and policy.
It therefore called on policymakers and key stakeholders to examine the key features and characteristics, financing, contribution to job creation and to local and national economies, and the challenges confronting self-build housing.
The report acknowledged the challenges of self-building housing, and emphasised the different sets of economies (land, input, construction and output) generated by self-build housing.
Policy Recommendations
On policy recommendations, the report called for improved land access and management through joint efforts of municipal assembly/state land agencies and traditional authorities.
It urged municipal assemblies to improve land use and spatial planning as stated in various policy documents such as the National Urban Policy Framework and Action Plan, 2012, Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925).
On the government’s policy focused on self-built housing, the report called for direct interventions in the supply side (land, inputs, labour, finance, etc) to make accessible and affordable housing for developers, including self-builders.
It also suggested indirect approach – improve the macro-economic environment to improve employment and incomes, and reduce inflation and interest rates.
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