The Media Coalition for Good Governance (MCGG) has warned that tackling rent exploitation in Ghana requires more than urging tenants to report landlords—it demands urgent, large-scale action to address the nation’s worsening housing deficit.
The coalition’s statement follows President John Dramani Mahama’s recent call for tenants to report landlords who demand more than the legally permitted rent advance.
While the appeal highlights concerns about fairness in the housing sector, MCGG says the government may not yet have the capacity to enforce such measures effectively, given Ghana’s estimated housing shortfall of 1.8 million units.
In the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 27 February, President Mahama outlined ongoing efforts under the Revised National Affordable Housing Programme, including the completion of 10,000 housing units across the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Northern Regions.
Plans were also announced to make 8,000 units habitable in the first phase of the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project through a public-private partnership, alongside the expansion of the Rent-to-Own Scheme expected to benefit 10,000 more Ghanaians.
Despite these initiatives, MCGG cautions that the allocation of just GHC 330,000 to the Rent Control Department in the 2026 budget raises serious doubts about the government’s ability to regulate and enforce rent laws nationwide.
During a dialogue with organised labour at Jubilee House on 17 March, President Mahama acknowledged that the housing deficit is the main driver of rising rent demands, noting that some landlords exploit the shortage by imposing unlawful advance payments. He encouraged tenants to seek redress at the rent court.
MCGG stresses that while regulation is important, it does not fully reflect tenants’ realities. Many renters hesitate to report abusive landlords due to fear of eviction and the lack of alternative housing. Without sufficient affordable housing, tenants are often forced to accept unfavourable rental conditions.
“Landlords operate within a market dictated by supply and demand. In the absence of meaningful state intervention, the rental market will continue to disadvantage tenants,” the coalition stated.
The Media Coalition for Good Governance urges the government to implement a comprehensive, well-resourced housing strategy that expands affordable housing, strengthens tenant protection, and ensures the Rent Control Department is equipped to enforce rent laws effectively. U
Until these measures are in place, tenants will continue to bear the brunt of a system constrained by limited supply and state intervention.
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