GHANA PRELIMINARY STUDY SHELTER SECTOR

It analyzes the local shelter situation, formulates shelter needs and assesses the options for possible shelter development programs. The report includes country background information, demographic analysis, target group identification, shelter policy and institutions, construction and building materials industries, and illustrative tables. Ghana has one of the most rapid rates of urbanization south of the Sahara, and most of this urban population is poor. Most of the urban poor live in low income settlements with low levels of urban services. The existing formal shelter delivery system has had a significant impact, but it has only reached a limited number of the urban poor with high subsidies. Most poor households remain outside the reach of this program. Technical support should be given to the Ministry of Works and Housing for staff support and for policy/program formation. Coordination between the various ministries and agencies involved in shelter policy should be promoted. This should include policy coordination, development of long-term urban and regional policies, import policy, price and labor policies, finance, employment, and technology. Assistance should focus on the following areas; reduction in subsidies for income groups, regularization of land tenure in existing settlements, support of existing financing programs, support for informal and small scale industries, income support, development of local materials industries, and provision of basic urban services.