Deputy Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has spotlighted Ghana’s 1.8 million‑unit housing deficit and rapid urbanisation as urgent national challenges as the country pushes forward with the New Urban Agenda.
Addressing the UN General Assembly High‑Level Political Forum in New York, she said government is prioritising affordable housing, integrated urban planning, sustainable infrastructure and stronger urban governance to ease mounting urban pressures.
She revealed that 37% of Ghana’s urban population live in informal settlements, making slum upgrading and affordable housing central pillars of the country’s urban development strategy.
“Housing remains our most pressing challenge. Ghana faces a housing deficit of more than 1.8 million units while up to 37% of the urban population live in informal settlements,” she said.
The Deputy Minister noted that government will strengthen urban financing, local government capacity, climate‑resilient infrastructure planning and urban data systems to support sustainable growth.
She also called for predictable international financing, direct access to climate finance for cities, and deeper technical cooperation to help Ghana meet its urban development ambitions.
“Ghana reaffirms its commitment to accelerating implementation. We will scale up affordable housing and slum upgrading, strengthen local government fiscal capacity, expand sustainable urban financing, integrate climate resilience into planning and infrastructure and enhance data systems and digital governance.
“These efforts will be pursued in partnership with our development partners, the private sector and local communities,” she added.
— CitiNewsRoom
Sarkodie Warns Gov’t: ‘Explain the 24-Hour Economy or Risk Voter Backlash’
‘Ofori-Atta Must Account’: COPEC Boss Warns NPP of 2028 Backlash Over Lingering ...
Kpebu: Claims of ‘Fast-Tracked’ Political Cases Not New — “Every Gov’t Faces Sam...
UG Economist Slams Gov’t: “24-Hour Economy Implementation Far From Reality”
Ghana Flags 1.8m Housing Gap at UN Forum, Says Urban Pressures Demand Urgent Act...
Ghana, India Set Bold $6bn Trade Target as Ablakwa, New Envoy Deepen Strategic T...
NDC Draws Red Line: Gov’t Appointees Who Don’t Resign Barred from Executive Elec...
Kpebu Warns: “Judicial Independence Won’t Come From Law Alone — It Needs Judges ...
US holds fire against Iran as media reports say Washington's stockpiles are dwin...
Ga Traditional Council calls for halt to planned Chamba Chief outdooring in Madi...
