Mahama Unveils Cedi-Based Affordable Housing Scheme for Public Sector Workers

President John Dramani Mahama has announced a new affordable housing scheme aimed at enabling public sector workers to own homes through long-term payment plans in Ghana cedis.

The initiative, which is being implemented in partnership with Organised Labour, financial institutions and the private sector, is expected to benefit nurses, teachers, doctors, civil servants and other public workers.

According to President Mahama, the scheme will allow beneficiaries to acquire government-built low-cost houses and pay for them over a period of up to 20 years, unlike the dollar-indexed mortgage arrangements currently offered by many real estate developers in Ghana.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the Dedesua Green City Project in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region on Saturday, May 9, 2026, the President disclosed that the programme would be backed by a GH¢3 billion Revolving Fund.

He explained that the fund would be established through a partnership involving the government, Organised Labour, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), and Republic Bank Ghana.

Under the arrangement, housing agencies such as the State Housing Company (SHC) and Tema Development Company (TDC) will receive financial support from the fund to construct affordable housing units, while banks provide mortgage facilities for workers to purchase the homes.

President Mahama stressed that the houses would be priced in Ghana cedis rather than dollars, a move he said would protect homeowners from fluctuations in the exchange rate and rising mortgage costs.

He further announced that the government was rolling out district-level social housing initiatives to ensure equitable access to affordable housing across the country.

“Housing must not be limited to only the major cities. Regional and district capitals must also benefit from our housing initiatives,” he stated.

Dedesua Green City Project

The Dedesua Green City Project is being developed on a 200-acre parcel of land donated by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The project is expected to deliver more than 1,000 housing units.

President Mahama appealed to Ghanaians living abroad to invest in the project, assuring them that the land was free from litigation and ownership disputes.

He also revealed that the Asantehene had agreed to release an additional parcel of land to the Tema Development Company for another housing project in Kumasi.

Government to Provide Infrastructure

The President disclosed that the government would absorb the cost of roads, drains and gutters within the Dedesua estate under the Big Push infrastructure programme.

He noted that the intervention would help reduce the overall cost of the houses for prospective buyers.

Ghana’s Housing Deficit

Touching on the country’s housing challenges, President Mahama said Ghana currently faces a housing deficit of more than 1.5 million units.

He attributed the situation to rapid urbanisation, high construction costs and limited access to long-term mortgage financing.

According to him, more than half of Ghana’s population currently lives in urban areas, with projections indicating that the figure could rise to nearly 70 per cent by 2050.

Concerns Over Rent Advance

On the issue of rent advance, President Mahama expressed concern over the weak enforcement of laws that restrict landlords from demanding more than six months’ advance rent.

He observed that both landlords and tenants often fail to report violations of the law.

The President expressed optimism that the first phase of the Dedesua Green City Project would be completed within a year.