Gov’t Deepens Private Sector Partnerships to Tackle Housing Deficit

By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi

The Government of Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the country’s persistent housing deficit through enhanced collaboration with private sector developers, as part of broader efforts to expand access to affordable and quality housing.

Speaking at the launch of the Puna high-rise development by VAAL Real Estate Ghana, Deputy Minister for Works and Housing and Member of Parliament, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing the growing housing gap.

She noted that Ghana’s rapid urbanisation continues to drive demand for decent housing, particularly in major cities such as Accra, where population growth is placing increasing pressure on existing infrastructure and housing supply.

“Government is committed to addressing the housing deficit through strategic partnerships with the private sector. We recognise the rising demand for affordable and quality housing, especially in our urban areas,” she stated.

According to her, fostering collaboration between public institutions and private developers remains central to delivering scalable and sustainable housing solutions.

“We will continue to create an enabling environment for private developers to thrive because partnerships like these are key to delivering sustainable housing solutions for Ghanaians,” she added.

The Deputy Minister further highlighted the need for innovative housing models, including high-rise developments and mixed-use projects, to optimise land use and respond effectively to urban expansion. She stressed that sustained investment and policy consistency would be critical to unlocking large-scale housing delivery.

Also speaking at the event, Co-founder of VAAL Real Estate Ghana, Alaa Zayed, described the Puna development as a strategic investment aligned with the company’s long-term vision for Ghana’s real estate sector.

“Puna represents our commitment to providing modern, secure and accessible housing that meets international standards while remaining responsive to the needs of Ghana’s growing middle-income population,” he said.

He added that beyond addressing accommodation needs, the project is expected to generate broader economic benefits.

“Developments like this create jobs, support local businesses and contribute to Ghana’s broader economic growth,” he noted.

Industry analysts say Ghana’s housing deficit, estimated in the hundreds of thousands of units, requires coordinated efforts between government, developers, financial institutions and urban planners. Challenges such as high construction costs, limited access to long-term financing, and land acquisition constraints continue to hinder large-scale housing delivery.

The launch of the Puna project reflects renewed momentum in the sector, with stakeholders increasingly aligning efforts to bridge the housing gap while supporting economic growth and urban transformation.

With government signalling strong policy backing and private developers stepping up investment, expectations are rising that Ghana could make meaningful progress in addressing its housing challenges in the coming years.