Ghana Business Update: Housing Reforms, Stable Construction Costs, and Strategic Infrastructure Growth

Ghana's business landscape is undergoing significant shifts as regulators and industry players move to sanitize the real estate and logistics sectors. The Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Ghana Association of Real Estate Brokers (GAREB) are intensifying efforts to combat fraud through stricter property checks and transparency. Deputy Head of the Collateral Registry, Mrs. Rosemary Akabutu, emphasized that thorough asset searches are now essential to protect investments. This push for accountability comes amid rising frustration over a ‘hidden cartel’ of unregulated agents and middlemen who exploit urban workers with exorbitant fees. Proposed solutions include a centralized national rental platform to reduce the monopolistic influence of these informal actors and ensure housing remains a stable fundamental right for all Ghanaians.

Economic data from the Ghana Statistical Service offers a glimmer of stability, with building inflation holding steady at 2.2% for April 2026. While the Prime Building Cost Index rose slightly to 136.1, price declines in core materials like cement and steel have helped offset significant increases in electrical works, glazing, and roofing. This stabilization is complemented by major infrastructure progress, notably on the Accra-Kumasi Expressway. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson confirmed that 51 kilometers of the stretch have been cleared, with compensation for affected residents scheduled to begin in June. These developments are viewed as vital for enhancing domestic trade and reducing transportation costs between Ghana’s commercial hubs.

In the maritime and trade sector, the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) has taken a decisive step to boost competitiveness by capping container administrative charges at the Tema and Takoradi ports. While shippers have welcomed the move as a way to curb rising logistics costs, analysts suggest that sustainable reform requires deeper collaboration to align Ghana's fees with regional peers like Togo and Nigeria. On the cultural front, businesses in Accra have shown remarkable resilience during the annual drumming ban, pivoting to mid-tier hospitality and retail to maintain profitability during the quiet period. Looking ahead, Ghana is cementing its role as a global commodities leader, having been selected to host the 2027 World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting, an event that will focus on climate resilience and farmer livelihoods during the 80th anniversary of the Cocoa Board.