Stop landlords from ejecting tenants -John Mahama directs Government

The flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), H.E.John Dramani Mahama, has called on the government to intervene in rent problems in Ghana. The former president’s appeal is on the back of the dire consequences tenants are facing over their inability to settle their rents amidst the coronavirus.

Mr. John Dramani Mahama wrote on his Facebook page monitored by Ghanashowbiz.com

“On Thursday I spent the afternoon visiting one of the communities on the outskirts of Accra to present food items to some households. From my interactions with the people, one that struck me most was the concern of a young woman that her landlord is demanding the rent for February and March or she faces ejection. She’s been home for a while due to the lockdown and cannot raise the funds to pay.

Rent, as we have learned from other countries is one of the key areas government intervention is required in mitigating the impact of COVID-19.

In Ghana, properties are privately owned and rents are paid for several years in advance. Government and property owners would have to devise a scheme to come to the aid of tenants who are unable to pay their rents.

A moratorium on ejections as a first step will be helpful to many who have lost their daily income as a result of the lockdown. In return, I believe the Government can compensate landlords and landladies for any income lost through tax reliefs, exemptions among others.” he wrote