Partisan politics, selfish interests stalling Ghana’s housing development – Ahmed Ibrahim

Ghana's housing shortage is largely attributed to partisan politics, regional interests, and the lack of continuity in government housing programs, according to the newly appointed Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Ahmed Ibrahim. At the handover ceremony between outgoing Minister Kenneth Gilbert Adjei and himself, Mr Ibrahim emphasized that Ghana's housing issues cannot be resolved by a single political party or administration.

He noted that successive governments have started housing projects that have remained incomplete after each change in political administration, wasting resources and leaving thousands of Ghanaians without adequate housing. Mr Ibrahim highlighted the stark contrast between Ghana's housing record and that of Côte d'Ivoire, which built approximately 50,000 houses in the last ten years, compared to Ghana's 5,000 houses in the same period, many of which remain unfinished.

He stressed that a national housing vision that transcends electoral cycles and political party interests is essential, as no single party can achieve this goal. The minister called for political consensus in housing projects, given the limited time administrations have to conceive, finance, and complete ambitious programs. He urged the ministry's directors, agencies, and stakeholders to collaborate and maintain administrative continuity, emphasizing that building a country is everyone's responsibility.

Mr Ibrahim also encouraged closer cooperation among current and former ministers and officials, vowing that his administration would build on the progress made, treating the transition as a relay handover. Outgoing Minister Kenneth Gilbert Adjei acknowledged the magnitude of Ghana's housing challenge, stating that demand for decent and affordable housing continues to grow.

He urged his successor to build on the existing work, assuring him that his ministry is staffed by capable professionals. The ceremony, attended by ministry directors, department heads, and various stakeholders, marked the beginning of a new era in Ghana's housing sector, with Ibrahim pledging to work in a spirit of humility, openness, and professionalism for the national responsibility of "housing Ghana."