Ghana’s housing sector must be research-driven to make homes affordable, Dr James Orleans-Lindsay, President of the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA) has said.
He said the lack of research investment had caused the sector to lag in adopting the latest building technologies, which are more efficient and less costly for developers.
Speaking at the 2025 Graphic/GREDA/MTN national dialogue on housing in Accra on Thursday, Dr Orleans-Lindsay said the situation had resulted in homes that were relatively unaffordable for most Ghanaians.
“If we are catering for just a number of small people up there, then we are not doing our jobs as developers,” he said.
The dialogue was held under the theme, “Technology-enabled and eco-friendly housing, now and the future.”
Dr Orleans-Lindsay said the housing situation was further compounded by the high cost of building material prices despite an improved economy, and a lack of understanding of sustainability and smart-home concepts.
“People are now bundling around sustainability and smart homes, and they even understand it,” he added.
Dr Orleans-Lindsay said stakeholders in the housing sector had a responsibility to partner to ensure that there are “houses tailored for pockets while providing comfort.”
Dr Benjamin Quaye, Head of the Special Projects Unit at the Lands Commission, said housing went beyond providing shelter to include security, dignity and sustainable growth for citizens.
He said it was for that reason the Lands Commission had adopted a digitised process, using online services for conducting searches, issuing stamp receipts and document registration.
Dr. Quaye noted the commission was working to integrate the GhanaCard for secure, identity-based transactions and to issue a digital land certificate with a QR code.
He also mentioned that deployment of technology in the housing sector was inadequate to address existing challenges.
Dr Quaye called for public-private partnerships, innovative financing models and inclusive policies to help bridge a housing gap of over 1.8 million units.
Source: GNA
The post GREDA President urges research-driven approach to affordable housing appeared first on Ghana Business News.
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