GH¢950,000 for a Two-Bedroom House Is Not Affordable, Building Technologist Tells Government

A Ghanaian building technologist, Nana Kwadwo Jantuah, has called on President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for Works and Housing to reconsider the country’s affordable housing strategy, arguing that the high cost of government housing projects places homeownership beyond the reach of ordinary workers.

In an open letter shared on Facebook on October 11, 2026, Jantuah questioned the affordability of a two-bedroom house reportedly priced at GH¢950,000. He maintained that housing programmes should be designed around the financial realities of ordinary Ghanaians rather than carrying prices that most public sector workers cannot manage.

Jantuah pointed to teachers, nurses and police officers, many of whom earn monthly salaries ranging from GH¢3,000 to GH¢4,000. According to him, financing a property worth GH¢950,000 could require monthly mortgage payments exceeding GH¢10,000, depending on the loan terms and repayment period. Such costs, he argued, make it practically impossible for many workers to qualify for or sustain homeownership under a programme described as affordable.

He attributed a significant part of Ghana’s housing challenges to the construction materials commonly used in the building industry. Sandcrete blocks, which are widely used in residential construction, require considerable quantities of cement. With cement prices reportedly exceeding GH¢85 per bag, he believes the country’s dependence on the material contributes substantially to the rising cost of building homes.

Rather than continuing to rely heavily on conventional construction methods, Jantuah is encouraging the government to explore Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks (CSEB), commonly known as interlocking bricks. The blocks are produced by compressing suitable local laterite soil mixed with a stabilising agent, such as a measured quantity of cement, into firm building units.

Their interlocking design can reduce the amount of mortar needed during construction. Depending on the building design and finishing requirements, the method may also lower expenditure on plastering and painting, potentially reducing the overall cost of construction.

To support his proposal, Jantuah referred to Ghanaian research comparing sandcrete blocks with interlocking bricks in the construction of a two-bedroom house. He cited figures suggesting potential savings of 114 bags of cement, 77 per cent less sand, 69 per cent less labour and an 85 per cent reduction in finishing costs. He further claimed that the alternative could reduce wall construction costs by more than 40 per cent. These figures would need to be assessed against project-specific designs, local conditions and independently verified cost estimates.

Beyond affordability, Jantuah argued that earth-based construction could create employment opportunities, support local industries and reduce dependence on imported construction inputs. He also highlighted the potential thermal benefits of earth blocks, which can help moderate indoor temperatures when appropriately designed and constructed.

He urged the government to consider pricing genuinely affordable homes between GH¢320,000 and GH¢450,000, enforce the 60 per cent local materials provision in Ghana’s housing policy, establish brick production facilities in districts and introduce practical training in brick production and construction at technical universities.

Jantuah concluded by offering to demonstrate the feasibility of his proposal through a sample house and a detailed costing exercise.

His appeal raises a broader question for policymakers: whether Ghana can expand access to decent housing by making greater use of locally available materials while maintaining appropriate standards for structural safety, durability and quality.

Source: Nana Kwadwo Jantuah, Official Facebook Post, 11 October, 2026

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