The Centre For Tenancy, Culture And Housing Studies Marks 2015 International Tenants’ Day

Today, Monday October 5th marks International Tenants’ Day – On this Day throughout the world, housing and tenancy issues are promoted and expounded. This Day is an opportunity to reflect on issues such as basic rights to adequate shelter, needs of tenants, affordable rental/housing, and tenants’ participation in all matters relating to housing.

As a civil society organisation contributing to improving the country’s housing deficits and addressing challenges faced by low income earning and poor tenants’ whose right to housing is violated, we share the hopes and aspirations expressed by the global community regarding the International Tenants’ Day and wish to dedicate this year’s celebration to all Tenants in Ghana.

Housing forms an indispensable part of ensuring human dignity. "Adequate housing" en compasses more than just the four walls of a room and a roof over one’s head. Housing is essential for normal healthy living. It fulfills deep-seated psychological needs for privacy and personal space; physical needs for security and protection from inclement weather; and social needs for basic gathering points where important relationships are forged and nurtured. In many societies, a house also serves an important function as an economic center where essential commercial activities are performed.

Despite global recognition of the importance of housing to human welfare and survival, accommodation in Ghana remains a serious problem serving as one prominent source of exploitation and abuse. It is estimated that Ghana has an estimated housing deficit of over 2 million. With escalating prices of home purchase and availability of public housing declining, increasing numbers of people have no option but to remain in the private rental market for long periods of time, sometimes permanently.

Thus to mark this Day, the Centre for Tenancy, Culture and Housing Studies in collaboration with the Human Rights NGOs Forum calls on all Ghanaians to re-commit themselves to forging a sound appreciation of the need to create responsible housing achievements through the provision of affordable and quality housing and respecting the right of participation, as well as engaging towards a revised housing agenda that ensures adequate shelter for all most especially, the vulnerable.

For further information regarding our services please call: 0303931084 or e-mail: tenantrightghana @gmail.com