Member of Parliament of Ketu North, Eric Edem Agbana

The Member of Parliament of Ketu North, Eric Edem Agbana, has called for reforms within the country’s rental housing sector to ensure affordability and accessibility.

Making his first formal statement on the Floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 13, 2025, he expressed worry over the high cost of rent in the country.

“Ghana’s rent regime, a system that has become a major source of frustration and hardship for millions of Ghanaians, particularly the youth, low-income earners, and vulnerable groups. The cost of rent in Ghana is alarmingly high, access to affordable housing is limited, and the regulatory framework governing rent payments is largely ineffective. These challenges demand urgent and bold interventions if we are to provide decent living conditions for our people.

“Mr. Speaker, it is not surprising that when I conducted a survey on a social media platform called X, formerly Twitter, the rent regime was identified by most respondents as their number one challenge in Ghana. It is therefore imperative that we act with urgency, discuss this challenge, and proffer sustainable solutions,” he remarked.

He stated that Ghana’s housing deficit, which exceeds two million units, has forced many citizens into overcrowded and substandard living conditions.

“Mr. Speaker, while the law stipulates that landlords should not demand more than six months’ rent in advance, enforcement is virtually nonexistent. It is common for landlords to demand two to three years’ rent in advance, in clear violation of the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220). Many tenants are forced to comply with these arbitrary demands due to the power imbalance between landlords and tenants,” he added.

He also called for the urgent review of the Rent Bill, which was laid before Parliament in March 2023, emphasising that it aligns with commitments made by President John Dramani Mahama in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections.

“This should serve as a wake-up call to urgently address the rent crisis facing the people of this country. This is important because President Mahama also promised same in the run-up to the 2024 general elections,” he indicated.

The MP proposed several reforms, including restructuring the Rent Control Department into a Ghana Rent Authority to enhance regulatory oversight, introducing a National Rent Assistance Scheme, and ensuring the enforcement of rent pricing regulations.

“Imagine the plight of a young graduate from Penyi Tamekorpe, posted to the DVLA head office in Accra for her national service. How can she raise, on average, 36,000 Ghana Cedis to pay a two-year rent advance for a single room that costs 1,500 Ghana Cedis per month when her compulsory national service allowance is only 715 Ghana Cedis per month?” he remarked.

Edem Agbana also urged the government to collaborate with private developers to invest in affordable housing, introduce tax incentives for developers constructing rental units, and implement policies to stabilize the cost of building materials.

“The government must collaborate with private developers to build affordable housing units across the country, particularly in urban centers where rent is most expensive. This will significantly reduce the housing deficit. A new rent pricing framework must also be introduced to prevent landlords from arbitrarily increasing rent,” he said.

Edem Agbana also called for swift action from Parliament to protect citizens from escalating rent burdens.

“The current rent situation in Ghana is unsustainable. It is an issue of national urgency that demands immediate and bold interventions. The citizens of this country deserve to live in dignity, and as leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure that housing, a basic necessity, is accessible and affordable for all. I therefore humbly call on this Honourable House to act now and protect ordinary Ghanaians from the burden of excessive rent costs,” he added.

JKB/AE

In the meantime, watch the story of the Ghanaian team that rode motorbikes from Accra to Dakar and back in 17 days, below:

Benjamin Commey

Accra, Feb. 13, GNA – Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has reiterated government’s commitment to work to improve the lives of all Ghanaians. 

“The government remains steadfast in its dedication to ensuring equitable development for all communities in Ghana,” she said. 

The Vice President gave the assurance when the Council of Madina Zongo Chiefs paid a courtesy call on her at the Jubilee House, in Accra. 

The visit, led by Sheikh Salmad Mohammed Alhassan, a Chief Imam of Madina, was to primarily congratulate President John Dramani Mahama, the Vice President, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on their decisive victory in the 2024 general elections.  

It was to discuss pressing issues affecting the Madina Zongo community, including land litigation, education, and overall development. 

The Vice President thanked the chiefs for their visit and their continuous efforts to improve the welfare of the Madina Zongo community.  

She assured them of government’s commitment to working in the best interest of all Ghanaians, emphasising plans to expand access to education and implement policies that promoted national development. 

The Muslim chiefs commended President Mahama and the government for reducing the Hajj fares as promised and making the pilgrimage more accessible to Ghanaian Muslims. 

They stressed the need for continued collaboration between the government and traditional leaders in advancing the interests of the people. 

GNA 

A photo collage of Ken Ofori-Atta (L), Henry Nana Boakye and Kissi Agyebeng

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has dismissed claims by the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, that the former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, is a wanted fugitive.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, February 13, 2025, the National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, stated that Ken Ofori-Atta can never be a fugitive.

“Mr. Ofori-Atta can never be a fugitive. He is not a fugitive, and he will never be a fugitive. The OSP got it wrong. He got it wrong. Once Ofori-Atta’s doctors declare him fit and healthy, he will return to the country,” he stated.

Henry Nana Boakye further urged the OSP to desist from making statements that stir up emotions and create unnecessary tensions in the country.

“Until then, the Special Prosecutor should avoid making sensational statements provoking public emotions and creating drama over a matter that could have been adequately resolved through correspondence.

“If you label your former finance minister a fugitive, which indeed he is not, it amounts to a national embarrassment when indeed the length of your correspondence is just two weeks, and you can’t wait. It is not as if the person is lost; the person cannot be traced,” he noted.

Henry Nana Boakye clarified that Ken Ofori-Atta had properly notified the OSP about his medical travels.

“Ken Ofori-Atta is not evading accountability as the OSP claimed. On January 2, 2025, he wrote a letter to the then Chief of Staff, Madam Frema Osei-Opare that he was traveling to the United States for a follow up medical visit. He included his current and reliable contact information at the end of the letter.

“On January 22, 2025, Ofori-Atta again wrote to the new Chief of Staff, Julius Deborah, to inform him that he was overseas for a medical examination”, he added.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor has declared the former Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, as wanted and a fugitive, due to his involvement in corruption-related activities concerning the SML, National Cathedral, and other projects during his tenure.

JKB/AE

In the meantime, watch as John Jinapor recounts ordeal after leaving office in 2017

The Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has commended the Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga for the apology he rendered to former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta following the raid on his private home.

Afeny-Markin described this as a mark of leadership.

“The man Mahama Ayariga is making his name in the politics of our country, he is exemplary and must be commended. I have not slept on this matter, he was taken to the south, and I was taken to the north gate, to ensure that this matter was done.  I want to assure you that our side will engage you constructively. Let us do the politic in the decent way, let us respect each other, let us use words that are complementary, and hold those who are at their lowest ebb and bring them up, if something is making a mistake you go to the person and say you could do it better

“If there is anything against any past government official, due process must be followed and I am sure all of us will have peace. Let the President know that with this we will accord him every courtesy due him as President, we will cooperate and oppose when we have to oppose,” he said in Parliament on Thursday, February 13 while reacting to the Mahama Ayariga’s apology.

After apologizing to Mr Ofori-Atta, Mahama Ayariga assured that the necessary steps have been taken to ensure such happenings do not recur.

Making a statement in Parliament on Thursday, February 13, he said “Yesterday, the deputy minority whip sort leaf of the speaker and the indulgence of the House to raise the matter that he thought was of urgent public importance.

“He raised two issues, pertaining to some press conferences of the Special Prosecutor. He drew attention to a joint Police military entry into the private residence of the former Minister of Finance Hon Ken Ofori-Atta. Mr Speaker, the statement drew a lot of debate following some commentaries and I promised this House that I would carry out some investigations to try and appreciate the circumstances surrounding the joint military and police entry into the private residence of the former Minister of Finance. In making this statement today let me indicate that as a country and as a parliament we have the constitution to uphold. That constitution has embedded in it fundamental human rights including the right to one’s privacy, the right to the integrity of one’s property and HE President Mahama remains committed to ensure that the rights of liberties of every individual are respected.

“I make this statement on the basis of the commitment of HE John Mahama to reset this country which means that everybody must act in compliance with the law and the mandate of institutions.

“I have called the relevant stakeholders in the matter to find out exactly what happened. It is true that the private residence of the former Minister of Finance was entered into by operatives of the Military and Police led by somebody we believe was at the National Security Coordinators’ office. Mr Speaker, his name is Mr Jakpa. We have investigated the matter and we want to say and assure our fellow countrymen and our colleagues in this house that we have received assurance from the Office of the National Security Coordinator that it was not intended that that should happen and that occurrence is most regrettable, unfortunate and he wants to give this house his words and assurance that a thing like that should never happen again. I have also spoken with the Minister of Interior who has spoken with his IGP and I have spoken with the Minister of Defence and all of them give the assurance to this house that a thing like that will not happen again. Mr Speaker, let me indicate to my colleagues on the other side that this side of the House (Majority) remains committed to ensuring that this country is reset, that its institutions function properly, that its officials act in accordance with the law and that the right and liberties of every citizen is upheld and protected under the regime of HE Mahama. I personally extend my apologies to the Former Minister of Finance and I believe that this should suffice.”

During proceedings in Parliament on Wednesday February 12, Former Minister of Defence Dominic Nitiwul said that it was wrong to use soldiers to raid somebody’s home as part of investigations into wrongdoing in a democratic dispensation.

Nitiwul said that it was either the Police or National Security operatives who would have to perform that function.

The Member of Parliament for Bimbilla was responding to Minister of Energy and Member of Parliament for Yapei Kusawgu, John Jinapor who recounted how gun-wielding national security operatives raided his home in 2017 as part of investigations into the Ameri deal.

Jinapor stated that the raid by the national security operatives sent his family, especially his six-year-old child into a state of hysteria.

He said “On that fateful day when my house was raided by AK47-wielding National security operatives when they banged on my door, creating fear and panic, sending my six-year-old child into a state of hysteria and fear, we had Members here, they never commented on it and I commend Prof Mike Oquaye on that day when he stood up and ruled that what they were doing was wrong. They took my phone, and laptop and took me to the UK to investigate me. ”

He added “The OSP has declared My Ofori-Atta a fugitive. We should not be afraid of accountability. As a public official when they took my laptop it got to a point where they couldn’t even open the iPhone, I told them I was willing to come and use my fingerprint, and it was then that they told me the phone had been taken to the UK and I had to give them the password.

“On this day of accountability, the thing I can say is that we wish the Man in white (Ken Ofori0) the best of luck.”

Responding to him, Dominic Nitiwul said “we are building a democracy, the Hon Member who just spoke said gun-wielding police raided his home, that is democracy, my brother, you don’t use soldiers

“In a democracy, you do not use soldiers to raid somebody’s home especially when that person has told you that he is not in the country and he will report when he gets back. Ofori-Atta wrote to the OSP that he is not in the country but has received the invitation and he will come back and report to you for any investigation, You have no right to send soldiers to raid a man’s house when he is not there.”

Ken Ofori-Atta is wanted by the OSP for cases being investigated including; the loss reduction contract between ECG and Beijing Jao, procurement over National Cathedral, contracts awarded by the Health Ministry to Service Ghana Auto Limited/Ambulances and the SML-GRA deal.

The OSP further emphasized that it would take all necessary measures to compel the former minister to appear and answer questions related to the investigations.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng stated that Ofori-Atta had repeatedly refused to honour invitations for questioning regarding ongoing investigations in which he is a suspect.

“Consequently, the OSP declares Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta a wanted person. He is a fugitive from the law,” Agyebeng announced.

Responding to the OSP, the Lawyers of Mr Ofori-Atta said “We write as Solicitors for Kenneth Ofori–Atta in respect of the above subject and refer to your letter dated 24th January 2025. We are informed by our client that a letter dated 24:” day of January 2025 was left at our client’s security post for his attention. Our client had been out of the country and therefore not in his home in Ghana at the time.

“The said letter has been brought to our attention on the instructions of our client who is still out of Ghana. The said letter is inviting our client to attend in person at your offices on Monday 10″ February 2025 at 10am.”

It added that “Our client gave notice to the former Chief of Staff in early January and more recently to the current Chief of Staff of his trip outside the country on medical grounds. Our client is currently undergoing medical observation and tests culminating in medical decisions to be taken in due course as to the way forward with treatment. After that he will have a better idea of when he is able to proceed to Ghana

“We are therefore humbly bringing to your attention that we shall give you notice of his arrival in the country so as to reschedule your invitation to him for the purposes as stated in the heading of your letter under reference.

“We are, however, able and willing to provide you with any information you may require to aid in your investigations until our client is back in the country for any in–person investigations outlined in the said letter.”