Since 1992, both the NDC and NPP governments have introduced several affordable housing projects across Ghana. Unfortunately, many of these projects have either stalled, been abandoned, delayed, or left incomplete largely because of one recurring problem — change of government.
Successive governments often discontinue projects started by their predecessors, leading to huge financial losses and uncompleted housing estates across the country. The ordinary worker eventually suffers while politicians continue to make promises every election season.
For this reason, I respectfully advise the NDC government under President John Dramani Mahama to reconsider the idea of building affordable housing units for teachers and other workers as the main solution to their housing problems.
Instead, the government should focus on paying workers — especially teachers — better salaries, rural incentives, and meaningful allowances so they can independently build the houses they desire and in the communities they prefer.
Teachers are among the hardest-working but poorly paid professionals in Ghana. Many spend decades serving this nation under difficult conditions yet retire without decent homes or financial security. If their salaries and allowances are improved, they can plan their lives better without depending on uncertain government housing projects that may never be completed.
The President should also not forget his promise to scrap or seriously reform the huge ex-gratia payments given to Article 71 office holders. This issue continues to create financial imbalance and unnecessary pressure on the national economy.
It is unfair for some workers to labour for two or three decades under difficult conditions with little allowances and retire with benefits that look almost insulting, while others serve only four years with luxurious salaries, fuel allowances, accommodation, security, and other privileges and still go home with massive ex-gratia packages.
Such disparities weaken morale among public sector workers and deepen inequality in the country.
A nation cannot achieve fairness and sustainable development when the sacrifices of teachers, nurses, and ordinary civil servants are undervalued while political office holders continue to enjoy extraordinary benefits.
Ghana needs a system that rewards hard work fairly across all sectors — not one that favours only a privileged few.
The Trial News
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