The National Tenants’ Union of Ghana (NATUG) has called out the government over what it describes as the widening gap between promises and delivery in addressing the country’s deepening housing crisis.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, September 11, 2025, NATUG expressed disappointment that, eight months into the administration, key housing pledges remain unfulfilled despite worsening rent conditions in Ghana’s urban centers.

The union accused the government of offering “speeches instead of shelter,” arguing that citizens are paying the price for stalled housing projects, outdated legislation and weak enforcement against illegal rent practices.

“You promised to complete the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project. But the site remains dormant, plagued by bureaucratic inertia and political finger-pointing,” the union wrote. It also questioned the status of the District Housing Scheme and the long-delayed reform of the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220).

NATUG noted that despite the NDC holding a two-thirds majority in Parliament, no legislative action has been taken on rent reforms, while landlords continue to demand two years’ rent upfront an illegal practice the government has failed to curb.



The group painted a grim picture of the situation in urban areas like Accra and Kumasi, where rent has skyrocketed beyond the reach of many households. According to the union, young professionals, teachers, nurses, and traders are now spending over 60% of their income on rent.

“Families are being evicted without due process. Students are sleeping in kiosks. And still, your government offers speeches instead of shelter,” the statement stressed.

NATUG posed several questions to the government, including:

When will the Saglemi project be completed and made available to low- and middle-income earners?

What is the timeline for passing the revised Rent Act, and will it include penalties for defaulting landlords?

How many units have been built under the District Housing Scheme since January?

Why has the Rent Control Department not been digitized, despite repeated promises?

The tenants’ union outlined urgent steps it wants the government to take, including:

Fast-tracking Rent Act reform with enforceable tenant protections and rent caps.

Completing and operationalizing the Saglemi project under transparent oversight.

Introducing a national rent relief program for low-income earners.

Digitizing and decentralizing the Rent Control Department for real-time enforcement.

Establishing a Housing Equity Fund to support cooperative and community-led housing models.

“Mr President, leadership is not measured by the eloquence of your promises but by the urgency of your delivery,” NATUG stated.

“Ghanaians are not asking for perfection; they are asking for progress. The gap between rhetoric and reality is growing. Ghanaians need homes, not headlines.”

The statement, signed by Reindolph Afrifa-Oware, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs, and Frederick Opoku, Secretary-General, reaffirmed NATUG’s commitment to mobilizing tenants and holding the government accountable until meaningful action is taken.