A recent study by the London School of Economics, the University of Ghana and the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), led by Professor Claire Mercer, has shed light on the significant contribution of self-build housing to Ghana's urban and economic growth with Techiman in the Bono East Region serving as one of the study's key locations.
The research, titled "Home-Grown Growth in African Cities: How Self-Build Housing Drives Urban and Economic Growth in Ghana," highlights the importance of self-build housing in Ghana's development.
According to Professor Owusu George, who led the research in Ghana, the study found that self-build housing has contributed significantly to urban and economic growth in Ghana, with many residents acquiring plots of land and building houses gradually while conducting businesses from them.
The research, according to Professor Owusu, in an exclusive interview with Fabea FM's Apiah-Kubi, aimed to explore how people in urban areas access housing and gain resources to acquire, finance, and improve their homes.
The study's findings indicate that self-organized construction has contributed to economic growth in urban areas, creating services and employment opportunities.
However, Professor Owusu noted that several challenges hinder the growth of self-build housing, including limited access to land, delays in completing buildings, weak adherence to formal planning regulations, and inadequate infrastructure support.
To address these challenges, Professor Owusu recommended that traditional leaders and district assemblies improve access to land, provide spatial planning, educate and sensitize artisans, and establish land banks.
He also emphasized the need for the government and policymakers to prioritize providing basic infrastructure such as access roads, drainage systems, electricity, and water systems to support self-build housing initiatives.
Notably, the study found that women play a significant role in self-build housing, contributing to economic growth.
"90% of housing in Ghana is contributed by self-building, unlike other countries where the government collaborates with institutions," Professor Owusu disclosed.
"This confirms the economic growth driven by self-build housing," he added.
The research dissemination workshop was held with about 60 participants of stakeholders, and provided a platform for the stakeholders to discuss the findings and recommendations.
Some participants, including chiefs, expressed their satisfaction and gratitude to the organizers for the education they gained from the research.
A chief refuted allegations of chiefs selling lands, stating, "We chiefs do not sell lands as allegedly said by others; we only give it out for some period and collect tokens of appreciation."
Other participants highlighted the challenges faced by youth in accessing land and financial resources for self-build housing.
One participant, a woman, encouraged women to prioritize saving for development, including self-build housing, for their children's future, saying, "Let us save for more development than buying clothes and stuff for no purposes and find something for our incoming generation."
The study's findings underscore the importance of self-build housing in Ghana's urban development and the need for policymakers to support this phenomenon.
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