Ghana is increasingly turning to private capital to address an estimated 1.8-million-unit housing deficit, as rapid urbanisation and fiscal constraints continue to put pressure on the country’s ability to provide affordable homes.

Deputy Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, says government alone cannot mobilise the resources required to close the housing gap.

Speaking at the IFMA Global Africa Conference 2026 in Accra, she called for a stronger partnership between government, private developers, financial institutions and institutional investors to increase housing delivery.

According to the Deputy Minister, the scale of Ghana’s housing needs requires a shift from relying heavily on government-funded construction towards innovative financing models that can attract significant private-sector investment.

She noted that with public finances under pressure, private capital would be critical in financing large-scale housing projects and expanding access to affordable homes, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas.

The government is therefore expected to focus increasingly on creating an enabling environment for private developers and investors through appropriate policies, financing mechanisms and partnerships.

The move comes as Ghana’s growing population and continued urbanisation drive demand for housing, while high construction costs and limited access to affordable mortgage financing remain major challenges.

Stakeholders in the housing sector have consequently been urged to explore sustainable financing models capable of mobilising long-term capital and delivering homes at prices accessible to ordinary Ghanaians.

The Deputy Minister’s comments underscore the growing recognition that closing Ghana’s housing deficit will require stronger public-private collaboration, rather than government resources alone.