Suspend national rental assistance scheme now – Tenants' union to government

The National Tenants’ Union of Ghana has called for the immediate suspension of the National Rental Assistance Scheme rolled out by the Akufo-Addo government.

According to the Union, the scheme is fraught with implementation flaws that undermine its core objective of supporting renters.

In a letter signed by Secretary-General Frederick Opoku and addressed to the Minister of Works and Housing, Kenneth Adjei, the Union noted that the scheme has failed to benefit the majority of Ghanaians, rendering it ineffective.

“We acknowledge the necessity of this policy, but we disagree with the current state of its implementation, which has left the majority of Ghanaians in dire need of the services the scheme is meant to provide,” the letter stated.

Among the key concerns raised were high application fees and exorbitant interest rates.

The Union condemned the GH¢100 non-refundable application fee, calling it exploitative and unreasonably high. They also criticised the 12% annual interest rate on rent loans, describing it as excessive.

“This is not just about fairness; it’s about accountability and the responsible use of public funds,” the letter emphasised.

The Union proposed that suspending the scheme would allow for critical reforms to make the program more inclusive and effective for Ghanaians.

The National Rental Assistance Programme (NRAP) was launched on January 31, 2023, as part of the government’s efforts to address housing challenges and provide financial support for rent advances.

SA/MA

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