Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama is preparing a new national housing programme aimed at expanding the supply of affordable homes, easing pressure on rents and making homeownership more accessible to households.

The programme is expected to be presented in Ghana’s 2027 budget by Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, according to the Presidency.

Mahama announced the initiative as his government seeks to address Ghana’s persistent housing shortage, particularly in urban areas where demand for affordable accommodation has continued to increase.

The government’s approach is centred on expanding housing supply rather than relying solely on rent controls. Mahama has acknowledged that landlords can demand large rent advances when housing is scarce, making it difficult for many households to secure accommodation.

Under Ghanaian law, rent advances are generally limited to six months. But enforcement has remained difficult, with the imbalance between housing demand and supply giving landlords greater bargaining power.

The new national programme is expected to build on measures already being introduced by the government.

In the 2026 budget, the government allocated 500 million Ghanaian cedis to the District Housing Scheme. Construction under the initiative is expected to begin in selected districts before the end of 2026, with the programme designed to be implemented over four years.

The government is also working with financial institutions to make mortgages more affordable. Through the Home Ownership Fund, authorities are seeking to develop housing finance products with lower interest rates, potentially allowing more households to move from renting to owning their homes.

Another major component of the government’s housing strategy is the redevelopment of the Saglemi housing project.

LMI Holdings is expected to bring 700 Saglemi homes to the market by March 2027 and complete another 800 units by December 2027, for a total of 1,500 homes. The development will include one- to three-bedroom apartments and townhouses.

Around 40% of the Saglemi units are expected to receive substantial subsidies aimed at making them affordable for lower-income households.

For Mahama’s administration, the housing programme represents a broader attempt to tackle one of Ghana’s most persistent economic and social challenges.

However, key details of the national programme have yet to be released. The total number of homes to be built, overall financing requirements, locations and implementation timetable are expected to become clearer when the 2027 budget is presented.

If implemented at scale, the programme could reshape Ghana’s housing market by increasing the supply of affordable homes while giving more households an opportunity to build long-term wealth through homeownership.

The government’s challenge will be to translate the announcement into a sustained construction and financing programme capable of matching Ghana’s growing demand for housing.