President Mahama Initiates 1,000-Unit Green City Project to Address Ghana’s Housing Deficit
By Ghana Beacon News Desk
Published: May 9, 2026
President John Dramani Mahama has commenced construction of the Green City Housing Project in Dedesua, Kumasi. The project forms part of the government’s approach to expanding access to affordable and sustainable housing.
The initiative, which is part of the government’s broader Reset Agenda, is expected to deliver over 1,000 housing units. The project is planned as a community with infrastructure designed to support environmental sustainability and contemporary living standards.
Addressing the 1.5 Million Unit Deficit
At the sod-cutting ceremony, President Mahama referenced current estimates indicating that Ghana’s national housing deficit exceeds 1.5 million units. This shortfall is attributed to factors such as rapid urbanization and increasing construction material costs. He emphasized that the Dedesua project is a decisive intervention intended to provide “dignified” living conditions for ordinary citizens.
Economic Reforms: A ₵3 Billion Housing Fund
To address challenges related to high interest rates and limited access to credit, President Mahama announced the creation of a three-billion-cedi revolving housing fund.
The fund is a collaborative effort involving:
- The Government of Ghana
- Organized Labour
- Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT)
- Private Financial Institutions
A significant policy change announced by the President is the decision to index house prices in Ghana Cedis instead of US Dollars. This measure is intended to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on mortgage repayments, which have previously contributed to unpredictability and increased costs for homeowners.
A Multi-Pronged Housing Strategy
The Green City project is one pillar of a wider governmental housing roadmap. The President outlined several concurrent initiatives:
- Completion of Saglemi: Renewed commitment to finishing the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project.
- Social Housing: The rollout of district-level initiatives to reach rural and peri-urban areas.
- Public Sector Support: A dedicated low-cost housing scheme for public sector workers, developed in partnership with organized labor.
- Rental Reform: Planned legislative and administrative reforms to the rental sector to ensure fairness and affordability for tenants.
Local Partnership and Sustainability
The President acknowledged the contribution of 200 acres of land by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, which enabled the project to proceed. The collaboration between the state and traditional authorities is intended to facilitate the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects.
The Green City project is structured to promote integrated community living, with an emphasis on eco-friendly infrastructure. The objective is to minimize environmental impact and support economic opportunities for residents in the Ashanti Region.
