A leading public figure, Nana Kobo, has pledged to spearhead a major affordable housing initiative aimed at easing the growing housing crisis in Accra. The announcement comes amid rising rents, rapid urbanisation, and mounting pressure on low- and middle-income families struggling to secure decent accommodation in the capital.
Speaking during a community engagement forum, Nana Kobo acknowledged that access to affordable housing has become one of the most pressing challenges facing residents of Accra. He noted that many families are being pushed to the outskirts of the city or forced to live in overcrowded conditions due to the high cost of rent and limited supply of reasonably priced homes.
According to him, the proposed initiative will focus on constructing cost-effective housing units while partnering with private developers, financial institutions, and local authorities. The goal, he said, is to significantly increase the number of affordable homes available to workers, young families, and first-time homebuyers.
Nana Kobo explained that the housing drive would include innovative financing options designed to make home ownership more accessible. These may include flexible payment plans, rent-to-own schemes, and collaboration with mortgage providers to reduce barriers that prevent many Ghanaians from owning homes. He stressed that the plan is not only about building houses but also about creating sustainable communities with essential infrastructure such as roads, schools, healthcare facilities, and reliable utilities.
The initiative is also expected to prioritise local building materials and support Ghanaian construction firms, a move Nana Kobo said could help stimulate job creation while reducing construction costs. By encouraging local participation in the housing sector, he believes the programme could have a broader economic impact beyond addressing accommodation shortages.
Urban planners and housing advocates have long warned that Accra’s housing deficit continues to widen as population growth outpaces development. Informal settlements have expanded in several parts of the city, while rent prices in central areas remain beyond the reach of many residents. Nana Kobo said tackling the crisis requires urgent and coordinated action from both the public and private sectors.
He further called on government agencies, traditional authorities, and investors to support the initiative, noting that collaboration would be key to delivering results at scale. “Housing is a basic need,” he said, adding that every resident deserves access to safe, dignified, and affordable shelter.
Residents who attended the event welcomed the proposal, expressing hope that the promised housing projects would translate into real opportunities for ordinary people in Accra who have long struggled to find affordable places to live.
If implemented successfully, the initiative could mark a significant step toward addressing the capital’s housing shortage and improving living conditions for thousands of families across the city.
