Accra, April 19, – The Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Mr Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has outlined a broad package of reforms aimed at transforming Ghana’s housing sector to deliver affordable, liveable and resilient urban communities.
He said Africa’s next phase of real estate development must go beyond infrastructure to reflect identity, dignity and social cohesion, stressing that housing should be people-centred rather than purely transactional.
Mr Adjei made the remarks at the maiden Africa Real Estate Festival (AREF) 2026 in Accra, which brought together policymakers, investors and industry players under the theme: “Innovation Meets Identity: Designing Africa’s Next Living Experience.”
“Real estate is about the spaces where people live, work and connect… it is about place, not just property,” he stated.
The Minister noted that nearly 90 per cent of housing delivery in Ghana was driven by the private sector, according to the Ghana Statistical Service, and called for stronger collaboration to bridge the country’s housing deficit.
He announced that the National Affordable Housing Programme was being restructured to support large-scale, mixed-income developments through public-private partnerships.
He said the District Housing Programme would decentralise delivery by enabling all districts to contribute to addressing the housing gap.
Mr Adjei also disclosed that the Rent Act was under review to enhance tenant protection, promote fairness and stabilise the rental market.
He added that government, in collaboration with the Lands Commission, was implementing land administration reforms to streamline acquisition processes, improve title security and reduce delays.
To reduce construction costs and promote sustainability, the Minister said efforts were underway to encourage the use of local building materials and green construction technologies.
He further indicated that discussions with financial institutions were ongoing to introduce innovative mortgage and housing finance solutions to improve access to long-term funding.
Mr Desmond Kwesi Oteng, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AREF, said the event marked a shift towards shaping Africa’s real estate narrative from within the continent.
He challenged stakeholders to take ownership of the sector’s future, asking: “Who builds Africa?”
The Real Estate Agency Council (REAC) urged strict adherence to professional standards and warned against cash transactions in the sector, in line with the Real Estate Agency Act, 2020 (Act 1027), to curb fraud and promote transparency.
Industry players, including Nilex Properties and Goldkey Properties, highlighted the role of innovation, local expertise and quality standards in advancing modern real estate development in Ghana.
The two-day festival, held from April 18 to 19, also emphasised the importance of balanced landlord-tenant relations as a foundation for sustainable communities.
GHBUSS
19 April 2026
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