The country’s mounting housing shortfall, now estimated at more than two million units, is intensifying pressure on government to rethink how the sector is regulated and financed.
Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA) says the strain created by rapid urban growth demands bold, immediate interventions – especially as the administration rolls out its flagship 24-hour economy programme.
GREDA president Dr. James Orleans-Lindsay said his outfit’s review of the policy shows it could open new opportunities for housing and construction, but only if supported by targetted reforms.
He pointed to a need for simplifying permitting processes, expanding access to land and broadening financing options through tools such as real estate investment trusts.
GREDA also called for stronger infrastructure support and capacity-building initiatives to improve industry standards.
Addressing the 2025 GREDA Awards and Dinner in Accra, Dr. Orleans-Lindsay described the 24-hour economy as “a potential game-changer” for the sector.
With firm government backing, he said, developers can scale up affordable housing delivery through public-private partnerships, strengthen essential services including water and sanitation, spur job creation across the construction chain and promote greener building practices.
“We continue to achieve significant successes, yet much more work remains,” he said. “Collaboratively, we can address persistent challenges such as land titling issues, high construction costs, heavy reliance on imported materials and limited access to affordable finance.”
GREDA, he noted, is ready to partner with government in advancing aspirations of the 24-hour economy policy.
“Working as a team, we can reset the housing industry to make Ghana a benchmark for sustainable development. We envision a country where every citizen has access to decent and affordable housing.”
