Ghana’s cities are becoming too expensive for many people to live in. This is causing more individuals and families to become homeless. David Ofosu-Dorte, a senior partner at law firm AB & David Africa, highlighted this problem. He spoke at a recent event focused on managing cities for economic growth.
This situation makes it harder for city residents to afford basic needs. Housing is a fundamental necessity. When it becomes too costly, people without enough money struggle. This directly leads to homelessness as they cannot secure a place to live. Ofosu-Dorte explained that this problem extends beyond housing. It affects access to food and clothing too. Life in the city becomes overwhelming when people lack the financial means for these essentials.
This housing crisis fits into a larger economic picture for Ghana. Many developing nations face similar challenges with rapid urbanization. Accra, the capital, has seen significant population growth. This growth strains existing infrastructure and services. Trends show a widening gap between incomes and the cost of urban living. Previous development models have not adequately addressed low-income housing needs.
Ofosu-Dorte urged city leaders and lawmakers to make low-cost housing a priority. He suggested practical steps for urban planning. One idea is to control how much rent landlords can ask for in advance. This is often a significant barrier for renters. "City managers need to look at how they are able to supply low-cost housing or how they can use simple measures, such as the amount of advance collected by landlords, to moderate whether a person can afford to live in the city or not," he stated.
The expert also pointed to confusion between land ownership and land use as a structural issue. This is particularly true in crowded urban areas. Ghana struggles with clear regulations on how land can be developed and used. In rural areas, landowners have more freedom. However, cities require strict rules for an organized growth. Without clear policies and enforcement, housing affordability and urban planning will remain difficult. This hinders the development of sustainable and inclusive cities for all Ghanaians.