The National Tenants’ Union of Ghana has petitioned the Minister of Works and Housing, Kenneth Agyei, to immediately suspend the National Rental Assistance Scheme due to implementation flaws that have rendered it ineffective. According to the Union’s Secretary-General, Frederick Poku, the scheme’s design has failed to benefit the majority of Ghanaians, leaving many in dire need of the services it aims to provide.
The Union’s concerns center around the scheme’s high application fees and exorbitant interest rates. The GHe100 non-refundable application fee has been condemned as exploitative and unreasonably high, while the 12% annual interest rate on rent loans has been described as excessive. As of February 2024, only 1,492 Ghanaians had benefited from the scheme, with a total of GHe19 million disbursed, raising questions about its effectiveness.
The Union emphasizes that suspending the scheme would allow for critical reforms to make the program more inclusive and effective for Ghanaians. They stress that the issue is not just about fairness, but about accountability and the responsible use of public funds. The National Rental Assistance Programme was launched in January 2023 to address housing challenges and provide financial support for rent advances.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
