The government has commenced a comprehensive assessment of Ghana’s housing and urban development sector as part of efforts to strengthen housing finance systems, improve urban planning outcomes and accelerate the delivery of affordable and sustainable housing.
The assessment, which will be undertaken using the internationally recognised VIRAL Framework, follows a partnership between the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources (MWHWR), the National Homeownership Fund (NHF) and the Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB).
The official signing ceremony for the Ghana VIRAL Model Assessment was held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources in Accra.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, said the initiative represents a major step towards transforming Ghana’s housing and urban development sector through strategic partnerships, sound policy and evidence-based planning.
He said the assessment would provide a comprehensive diagnosis of the housing ecosystem by identifying policy, institutional and regulatory gaps while developing a practical roadmap to attract investment and accelerate housing delivery.
“The Ghana VIRAL Model Assessment presents a unique opportunity to undertake a comprehensive diagnosis of our housing ecosystem. It will help us identify policy, institutional and regulatory gaps, strengthen coordination across the sector, and develop a practical roadmap for attracting investment and accelerating housing delivery,” he said.
The Minister noted that housing remains a key priority of government, stressing that beyond providing shelter, the sector contributes to economic growth, job creation, public health improvement and social inclusion.
He said government’s vision is to build a modern, resilient and inclusive housing sector through collaboration with local and international partners.
According to him, the assessment will focus on five critical pillars of the housing ecosystem under the VIRAL Framework — Vision, Institutions, Regulations, Actors and Local Initiatives.
He explained that the outcome of the exercise would ensure that future housing interventions are evidence-based, well coordinated and aligned with Ghana’s development priorities.
Mr Adjei commended Shelter Afrique Development Bank for its continued partnership with Ghana, noting that the institution has provided support towards affordable housing and sustainable urban development across Africa.
He said Ghana’s partnership with Shelter Afrique Development Bank has enabled Ghanaian financial institutions and private developers to access about US$35.5 million in financing for housing and mortgage-related initiatives.
He added that Ghana’s election to the bank’s Board of Directors in 2024 and its subsequent re-election for another three-year term beginning in July 2027 reflected the confidence member states had in Ghana’s leadership in advancing Africa’s housing agenda.
The Minister also said government remained committed to fulfilling its obligations as a shareholder of the bank to strengthen the partnership and benefit from expanded opportunities under its new mandate.
The minister noted that the VIRAL assessment would culminate in the preparation of a Country Housing and Urban Development Partnership Strategy (CHUDPS), which will serve as a long-term roadmap for housing and urban development in Ghana.
The strategy is expected to support efforts to reduce the housing deficit, improve access to affordable housing, strengthen housing finance systems and promote climate-resilient settlements.
Mr Adjei urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), development partners, financial institutions, professional bodies, academia, civil society organisations and private sector players to actively participate in the assessment.
He expressed confidence that the findings from the exercise would provide a strong evidence base for policy reforms and inform discussions at the upcoming National Conference on Housing Finance later this year.
The Minister further commended the National Homeownership Fund for coordinating the initiative and thanked Shelter Afrique Development Bank for its continued support towards Ghana’s housing development agenda.