Let's close housing deficit to end exploitation

The Centre for Tenancy, Culture and Housing Studies, a civil society organisation, has called for a stronger commitment to bridge Ghana’s huge housing gap to end the widespread exploitation and abuse of tenants.

The Centre noted that with the escalating prices of homes and declining availability of public housing, an increasing number of people were forced to remain in private rental homes, where they were subjected to repeated abuses.

Mr Alex Hayford, the Executive Director of Centre for Tenancy, Culture and Housing Studies, told the Ghana News Agency that as Ghana marked the International Tenants Day, which fell on Monday October 5, stakeholders ought to rethink the growing housing gap.

The 2015 International Tenants’ Day was on the theme: “Towards Affordable Housing”. It provided an opportunity for countries to reflect on issues such as Basic Rights to Adequate Shelter; Needs of tenants; Affordable Rental/Housing, and Tenants’ Participation in all Matters Relating to Housing.

Mr Hayford said there was the need for the private sector and the government to join hands to close the over two million housing shortfall.

“The Centre in collaboration with the Human Rights NGOs Forum call on all Ghanaians to re-commit themselves to forge a sound appreciation of the need to create responsible housing achievements,” he said.

“This must be done through the provision of affordable and quality housing, respect for the right of participation, as well as engaging in a revised housing agenda that ensures adequate shelter for all, particularly, the vulnerable,” he explained.

He stated that housing formed an indispensable part of ensuring human dignity, saying, "Adequate housing compasses more than just the four walls of a room and a roof over one’s head, it is essential for normal healthy living.”

He also said lodging fulfilled deep-seated psychological needs for privacy and personal space, physical needs for security and protection from inclement weather, and social needs for basic gathering points where important relationships were forged and nurtured.

“A house also serves as an economic centre where essential commercial activities are performed,” he said.

Mr Hayford said despite the global recognition of the importance of housing to human welfare and survival, accommodation in Ghana remained a serious problem, serving as a prominent source of exploitation and abuse.

He said the centre was committed to help address the housing deficit and the challenges faced by low income and poor tenants whose rights to housing were violated.

The Centre for Tenancy, Culture and Housing Studies, established in 2012 is dedicated towards advocacy, policy research and the promotion of the rights of tenants in Ghana.

It engages with relevant collaborators, including Associations, platforms, Municipal and District Assemblies, Civil Society Organisations, security agencies and individuals in carrying out its activities.