NewzThe Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) has called for coordinated national action to ensure access to safe, habitable and affordable housing as the country joins the global community to mark World Architecture Day 2026. The call was contained in a communiqué issued and signed by Mr Tony Asare, President of GIA ahead of World Architecture Day on Monday, October 5, on the theme: “Housing is a Human Right. Build It.” The Institute said every person deserved safe and affordable housing, essential services and security of tenure, adding that achieving that required coordinated policies, serviced land, skilled labour, suitable building materials, infrastructure and accessible finance.
It said Ghana’s housing system should provide diverse options, including homeownership, supported incremental construction, affordable rental housing and targeted social housing to meet the needs of different income groups. The GIA called for a coordinated national housing agenda through a review and update of the National Housing Policy, 2015, to align it with the National Urban Policy and Implementation Plan 2026–2035. It also called for measurable housing targets, clearly defined institutional responsibilities, sustainable funding and regular public reporting to improve accountability in the sector.
The Institute proposed the establishment of any Ghana Housing Authority through the appropriate legislative process, with a clearly defined mandate and effective accountability mechanisms. The GIA called for a legally grounded inclusionary housing framework requiring qualifying residential developments to provide a prescribed proportion of affordable housing units or an approved equivalent contribution. It said such requirements should be developed through consultation and viability assessments, with clear eligibility and affordability criteria, appropriate incentives and safeguards to preserve affordability over time.
On informal settlements, the Institute urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to integrate the National Slum Upgrading and Prevention Strategy 2026–2035 into their development plans and budgets. It said priority should be given to water, sanitation, drainage, access roads, fire safety and improved housing conditions, with residents actively involved in the upgrading process. The GIA called for expanded affordable rental housing, starter homes, ca…
The Ghana Institute of Architects (GIA) is calling for a coordinated national housing agenda backed by clear targets, sustainable funding and stronger institutional accountability to improve access to safe and affordable housing. The Institute says Ghana’s housing challenge cannot be addressed through homeownership alone and is urging the government to expand affordable rental housing, support incremental construction, starter homes and targeted social housing for low-income and vulnerable households. In a communiqué marking World Architecture Day 2026, the GIA called for the National Housing Policy, introduced in 2015, to be reviewed and aligned with the National Urban Policy and Implementation Plan for 2026 to 2035.
It wants the revised policy to set measurable housing targets, define institutional responsibilities, establish sustainable funding mechanisms and require regular public reporting on progress. The Institute also called for any proposed Ghana Housing Authority to be established through the appropriate legislative process, with a clearly defined mandate and effective accountability. GIA proposes inclusionary housing framework On housing affordability, the GIA proposed a legally grounded inclusionary housing framework that would require qualifying residential developments to provide a prescribed proportion of affordable units or make an approved equivalent contribution.
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