Ghana’s housing crisis is worsening, with new data exposing a stark paradox between the surge in housing construction and the high rate of vacant homes.
A JoyNews Research analysis of the 2021 Population and Housing Census reveals that while the total number of dwelling units in the country jumped from 5.82 million in 2010 to over 10 million, about 1.3 million of these homes remain unoccupied.
This situation persists despite a nationwide housing deficit estimated at nearly 2 million units—highlighting deep structural and market distortions that keep decent housing out of reach for many Ghanaians.
The data shows that in the Greater Accra Region—Ghana’s most urbanized and economically active area—around 15% of homes are vacant. The Western North Region records the highest vacancy rate at 16.3%, while the Ashanti, Eastern, Western, and Central Regions each report rates above 11%, sparking concern among housing experts and policymakers.
The findings suggest a troubling pattern: homes are increasingly being built as investment assets rather than for people to live in, pointing to speculation, property hoarding, and potential money laundering within the sector.
This trend has intensified public calls for greater transparency and accountability in Ghana’s real estate industry, which is already plagued by weak oversight and opaque financing systems.
Despite years of government initiatives and housing programs, affordability remains a major challenge. Rental and mortgage costs continue to rise faster than incomes, leaving many Ghanaians without adequate housing—while luxury apartments and gated estates stand empty.
