Urban migration fueling rent hikes and cost of living crisis – GREDA

Ghana's urban centres, especially Accra, face growing pressure. This is a major concern for housing and development experts.

Sammy Amegayibor is the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Real Estate Development Association (GREDA). He says rural-urban migration strains infrastructure and worsens the cost of living crisis.

“Everyone wants to come to Accra for more opportunities,” Amegayibor said on the Asaase Breakfast Show.

“This influx overwhelms existing infrastructure and drives up essential costs, especially rent.”

As Accra's population grows, rental prices soar beyond many Ghanaians' reach. Amegayibor noted that this situation stretches household finances to their limits.

“People spend over half their salaries on rent,” he said. “This leaves little for food, transportation, and other necessities.”

The affordability crisis involves more than just demand. Developers also face tough conditions in the housing market.

Despite efforts to provide low-income housing, challenges persist.

“Developers deal with market and regulatory constraints,” he explained. “Even the cheapest homes remain too expensive for most people.”

The rising cost of living stems from housing shortages and high urban demand. Many Ghanaians struggle to keep up with these pressures.

Experts warn that without targeted policy reform, the housing burden will worsen. A rebalancing of development between urban and rural areas is crucial.