Mahama Urges Tenants to Report Illegal Rent Demands Amid Growing Housing Pressure

By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for GhanaianNewsCanada

| March 18, 2026

John Dramani Mahama has called on tenants across Ghana to take action against landlords who demand rent advances beyond what the law permits, as concerns over housing affordability continue to grow.

Speaking during a dialogue with Organized Labour at Jubilee House on Tuesday, March 17, the President highlighted the increasing financial burden that housing places on ordinary Ghanaians.

According to him, housing has become a major challenge for many households, consuming a significant portion of their income and affecting overall living standards.

He emphasized the need for a national housing dialogue, bringing together government, the private sector, and labour unions to develop a sustainable and inclusive housing policy. Such a policy, he noted, should focus on making housing more affordable through options like mortgages and regulated rental systems.

Housing Deficit Driving Exploitation

President Mahama pointed to Ghana’s housing deficit as the core issue fueling the current situation. He explained that the shortage of available housing has created an environment where some landlords take advantage of tenants by demanding excessive rent advances.

Under existing laws, landlords are not permitted to charge more than six months’ rent advance. However, in practice, many tenants are required to pay one to two years’ rent upfront, a trend that continues largely unchecked.

The President stressed that the law is clear, but compliance remains weak due to a lack of enforcement and reluctance from both tenants and landlords to seek legal redress.

He encouraged tenants to make use of the rent court system to report violations and ensure accountability.

Tenants Reluctant to Seek Justice

While the President’s call is grounded in law, the reality on the ground presents significant challenges.

Many tenants are hesitant to report landlords for several reasons. Fear of eviction remains one of the biggest concerns, as tenants worry they may lose their accommodation if they take legal action. Others fear being informally blacklisted, making it difficult to secure housing in the future.

Additionally, there is limited confidence in how quickly and effectively the system can respond to such complaints, which discourages many from pursuing justice.

This situation creates a difficult choice for tenants—either endure unfair rental conditions or risk losing their homes in the process of seeking legal protection.

Structural Challenges in the Housing Sector

The issue highlights a deeper structural problem within Ghana’s housing sector. The imbalance between supply and demand has created a landlord-driven market, where property owners often dictate terms regardless of legal limits.

In such an environment, legality becomes secondary to necessity, as tenants prioritize securing shelter over challenging unlawful practices.

There is also a broader contradiction in the current approach. While tenants are being encouraged to report landlords, the system does not always guarantee protection for those who come forward. This makes enforcement difficult and limits the effectiveness of existing laws.

The Need for Long-Term Policy Solutions

Experts suggest that addressing the issue requires more than enforcement alone. While holding landlords accountable is important, the long-term solution lies in tackling the root causes of the housing crisis.

Key measures that could help improve the situation include:

• Expanding access to affordable housing

• Strengthening rent control systems

• Improving access to rent dispute resolution mechanisms

• Introducing incentives for landlords who comply with regulations

• Digitizing complaint systems to make reporting easier and more efficient

Without increasing the overall housing supply, efforts to enforce rent laws may only provide temporary relief.

A Call for Reform and Accountability

President Mahama’s appeal represents a step toward greater accountability in Ghana’s housing sector. However, the broader challenge lies in transforming the system to ensure fairness, accessibility, and sustainability.

The current situation reflects a reality where scarcity continues to shape behavior, often at the expense of legal compliance and social equity.

As Ghana moves forward, the effectiveness of reforms will depend on the country’s ability to balance enforcement with meaningful structural changes that address housing shortages and protect tenants.

For many observers, the path ahead is clear: lasting solutions will require not only policy enforcement but also bold investments and reforms aimed at reshaping the housing landscape.