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Accra, Oct. 7, 24HourNews – President John Dramani Mahama has recounted the financial strain he and his wife faced trying to secure accommodation at the early stages of their marriage due to Ghana’s rent advance system.
Speaking at an event, the President said the burden of rent advance and agent fees almost ruined their finances before they even started married life.
He narrated how, like many young Ghanaian couples, they struggled to raise huge sums of money demanded by landlords just to secure a decent place to live.
President Mahama said the experience is not unique to him but reflects the harsh reality confronting thousands of Ghanaians, particularly young people and newly married couples who are forced to pay two to three years’ rent advance.
According to him, the practice continues to place enormous pressure on families, drains their savings and worsens the housing deficit in the country.
He reiterated his government’s commitment to tackling the housing crisis, stressing the need to enforce the Rent Act, promote affordable housing projects and ease the burden on tenants.
The President’s personal revelation has resonated widely with the public, with many Ghanaians sharing similar stories of exploitation by agents and landlords.