Teacher unions are demanding firm assurances from government that the proposed 50,000 housing units for teachers will be affordable and safeguarded from political interference.
Leaders of GNAT and NAGRAT say they will closely monitor the initiative, especially since the project will be funded partly with teachers’ pension contributions.
For more than two decades, successive governments have pledged to provide decent accommodation for teachers across the country. The previous NPP administration promised 10,000 housing units for teachers, but the project never materialised.
Ahead of the 2024 elections, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) also promised 50,000 housing units for teachers, and after winning the polls, the government says it is ready to push the plan through.
Under the proposal, part of the funding will come from the Ghana Education Pension Scheme, with teachers expected to make additional minimum contributions to support the construction.
Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu says modalities for the project will begin next year. He also revealed that government has secured a partnership with an organisation in Morocco to commence work.
“I am currently reviewing a paper and a proposal from the district assembly common fund GetFund and GESOP and the teacher unions we intend to provide 50,000 houses for teachers under the government effort, the administrator of the district assembly common fund was in Morocco to engage some of the partners to look at what the funding mechanism will be,” he stated.
The teacher unions say they fully support the agenda—but only if it truly benefits teachers.
General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Thomas Tanko Musah, said the President must ensure that the promise is delivered.
“Teachers are hopeful, and we will always be hopeful. We believe that His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama must change this narrative where a teacher retires and cannot even afford a two-bedroom house. No— the President must build it.”
President of NAGRAT, Angel Carbonu, also stressed that affordability must remain a top priority.
“The buildings should be affordable and within the reach of the average teacher. When the houses are constructed but priced beyond the reach of teachers, that is when politicians come in to buy them—and that will not help the project.”
Both union leaders are calling for a clear, comprehensive plan to guide the construction and ensure transparency at every stage.
By Daniel Opoku
