Government to build 50,000 housing units for teachers nationwide – Haruna Iddrisu

Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu has announced that the government plans to construct 50,000 housing units for teachers across the country to improve accommodation and encourage teacher retention, particularly in rural communities.

Speaking at the Accountability Series on Monday, July 20, Mr. Iddrisu said the initiative, dubbed the Teacher Dabre Initiative, is aimed at providing decent housing for teachers while addressing accommodation challenges in underserved areas.

According to the Minister, the project will be implemented through a decentralised approach, with the District Assemblies Common Fund spearheading construction at the regional and district levels.

“We intend to construct 50,000 housing units for teachers all across the country. It is led by the District Assemblies Common Fund in order that we want to decentralise it at the regional and district level,” he said.

Mr. Iddrisu explained that the Ministry of Education would complement the initiative by providing additional financial support, including the use of resources from the Ghana Secondary School Pension (GSOP) as collateral to facilitate the project’s implementation.

The Minister also revealed that the government is close to finalising arrangements for a 20% allowance for teachers who voluntarily accept postings to rural areas.

“Apart from the 20% allowance for persons who are self-posting into rural areas, we are almost through,” he stated.

The proposed housing initiative forms part of the government’s broader efforts to improve teachers’ welfare, address accommodation challenges and make rural postings more attractive, with the ultimate goal of strengthening the quality and distribution of education across the country.