Headlines for PE News
Attorney-General Drops Charges in $200M Saglemi Housing Case
National Tenants Union of Ghana Leads Fight for Affordable Housing
UK Cracks Down on Rogue Landlords with Housing Benefit Cuts
Ghana’s Attorney-General, Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has filed a nolle prosequi, discontinuing the case against former Works and Housing Minister, Alhaji Collins Dauda, and four others involved in the $200 million Saglemi Housing Project trial. The accused, including former ministers and officials, had been facing 70 counts of causing financial loss to the state. The notice, filed at the High Court in Accra, officially ends the prosecution. Ghana’s Attorney-General has discontinued the case against Alhaji Collins Dauda and four others in the $200 million Saglemi Housing Project trial. The nolle prosequi notice officially ends the prosecution.
Ghana, like much of West Africa, continues to struggle with a housing crisis marked by high rents and limited rental spaces. Despite efforts by past governments to address the housing deficit—estimated at 1.8 million units—progress has been hindered by a lack of administrative continuity. Many projects initiated by previous administrations are abandoned, leaving citizens grappling with rising housing costs. Reports highlight that inflation, fuel price hikes, and increased transportation fares have further exacerbated the unaffordability of housing, making it increasingly difficult for the working population to secure affordable homes.
In response to these challenges, the National Tenants Union of Ghana has emerged as a leading advocate for affordable housing and stronger rent control laws. As the first of its kind in the country, the union is actively lobbying lawmakers, engaging with government officials—including President John Mahama—and educating tenants about their rights. The organization has also taken legal action against privatization and continues to challenge harmful housing policies. While tenant unions are rare in Ghana, they are becoming increasingly vital in addressing an issue that has persisted for years.
A report by Global Financial Integrity (GFI) has revealed that at least $48.8 million has been laundered through Ghana’s real estate sector. The analysis of 16 cases involving 24 properties and 510 acres of land linked money laundering to corporate structures, corruption, theft, and drug trafficking. The study found that 87.5 percent of cases involved residential properties in the Greater Accra Region. A major vulnerability is the lack of specific regulation for Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VAs/VASPs), further exposing the sector to illicit financial activities.
The UK government has announced plans to cut housing benefit payments to rogue landlords whose properties fail to meet required standards. This move is part of a broader effort to regulate the rental market, improve tenant living conditions, and curb exploitative practices. Alongside these measures, the government is investing an additional £350 million in affordable housing to address the ongoing housing crisis. These reforms aim to ensure that public funds are not used to support landlords who neglect property standards while promoting fairer and safer housing options for renters.
Source :Joycelyn Marigold – Property Express Magazine
