President John Mahama has proposed a financing arrangement to help complete thousands of unfinished houses across Ghana and convert them into rent-to-own homes. Speaking at the National Conference on Housing Financing in Accra on October 7, 2026, he said the government could identify uncompleted houses, assess the cost of completing them, and provide financing support to owners who have the capacity to repay. This initiative aims to address the large number of unfinished buildings across the country.
President Mahama's proposal involves identifying unfinished houses in specific areas and engaging engineers and architects to determine the cost of completing them. He suggested that the government could get a product that allows it to take an area, identify all the uncompleted houses there, get the engineers and architects to do the bill of quantities, and let it see how much more it would take to complete them. This approach would help to complete the houses and provide affordable housing options for Ghanaians.
The financing could target owners who have already invested in the properties but need additional support to complete them. President Mahama proposed that once completed, the beneficiaries could move into the houses and redirect the money they would otherwise spend on rent into a rent-to-own arrangement. This would enable them to own the houses over time, while also providing them with a place to live.
President Mahama also suggested that district assemblies could use part of their internally generated funds and Common Fund allocations to invest in rental housing. He said such a model could provide accommodation for public servants posted to the districts while generating additional revenue for the assemblies. This initiative would help to increase their internally generated funds and provide affordable housing options for public servants.
The President emphasized the need for the government to explore different financing models to address Ghana's housing needs. He said that the government must think outside the box when it comes to these things. President Mahama's proposal is part of his efforts to address the housing deficit in Ghana and provide affordable housing options for Ghanaians.
President Mahama's proposal has the potential to provide relief to many Ghanaians who are struggling to find affordable housing. The rent-to-own scheme would enable them to own houses over time, while also providing them with a place to live. The initiative would also help to complete thousands of unfinished houses across the country, which would help to address the housing deficit.
The government has not provided a timeline for implementing President Mahama's proposal, but it is expected to make a decision soon. The President's proposal has been well-received by many Ghanaians, who are hopeful that it will help to address the country's housing needs. The government will need to work with various stakeholders, including developers, architects, and engineers, to implement the proposal.
Key points
- President John Mahama proposes a rent-to-own scheme for unfinished houses in Ghana.
- The scheme aims to provide affordable housing options for Ghanaians and complete thousands of unfinished houses across the country.
- The government could identify unfinished houses, assess the cost of completing them, and provide financing support to owners who have the capacity to repay.
