National Rental Assistance Scheme is a scam – Tenants Union
The National Tenants Union has described the National Rental Assistance Scheme (NRAS) as a fraudulent scheme and a failed policy that has not helped tenants in any way.
According to the union, the government did not solicit its input before finalizing the scheme, which has failed to address the needs of tenants.
Launched on January 31, 2023, the NRAS aims to provide low-interest loans of 12 percent per annum to enable eligible Ghanaians to pay rent on a monthly basis in partnership with the private sector.
It is in fulfillment of the governing New Patriotic Party’s 2020 manifesto promise to address market failures in the renter-segment by offering a solution to the age-long rent advance problem.
Explaining how the scheme works, Mr Assenso-Boakye said it acts as an intermediary between landlords and tenants, minimizing risk and financial exposure for both parties.
He said applicants initiate the process by identifying a preferred property and submitting a formal application, and upon approval, the scheme manager evaluates the property, negotiates with the landlord,
In February 2024, the government announced that approximately GH¢19 million has been disbursed as rent advance to 1,492 beneficiaries of the National Rental Assistance Scheme (NRAS) since its inception one year ago.
An average monthly rent of GH¢500.00 was allotted per beneficiary as rent for two years and paid to their respective landlords in six operational regions.
Out of 9,424 applicants, Accra had the highest number of beneficiaries of 903; Kumasi, 257; Takoradi, 160; Techiman, 147; Koforidua, 16, with Tamale having the least of nine.
“It is worth noting that to date, beneficiaries of the scheme have all abided by the terms of their agreement with the scheme and have all made and continue to make the expected monthly repayments to the scheme; recording a 100 percent repayment thus far,” he said.
But speaking to Daakyehene Ofosu Agyemang, host of the New York-based Adinkra Radio, Morning Show, the General Secretary of the Tenants Union of Ghana, Frederick Opoku, described the National Rental Assistance Scheme as a lazy approach to solving housing problems facing the country.
“On the day of the launch of the scheme, we were invited to the event, and we were asked to share our views on the scheme. We said this was the first time a government was rolling out such a policy. But even though it is a lazy approach to solving the problem, the initiative is good and welcome because we must start somewhere. The government just intended to use us for publicity.
“The government reported in February that it had assisted about 1,492 with funds to rent accommodation and had expended over GHC19 million. We asked the government to furnish us with details of those who have benefited from the scheme because our members did not receive any such assistance. Several months later, the government is yet to publish the names of those who benefited. This is a scam; it came for a few people. As we go into the general election campaign period, the government must not come out and campaign with this scheme. I am speaking on behalf of over 15 million Ghanaians who are suffering. We will be launching our campaign dubbed: My home, my vote. We will ensure we campaign heavily on housing, and we will scrutinize the manifestoes of the two leading parties, – NDC and the NPP. Whichever party’s own appeals to us, we will vote for that party come December 7 general elections,” Frederick Opoku said.
Source: Adinkraradio.com
