Housing and Health in Ghana: The Psychosocial Impacts of Renting a Home

Authors

Isaac Luginaah, The University of Western Ontario
Godwin Arku, The University of Western Ontario
Philip Baiden, The University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2010

Volume

7

Issue

2

Journal

International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health

First Page

528

Last Page

545

URL with Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph7020528

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a qualitative study investigating the impacts of renting a home on the psychosocial health of tenants in the Accra Metropolitan Area (AMA) in Ghana. In-depth interviews (n = 33) were conducted with private renters in Adabraka, Accra. The findings show that private renters in the AMA face serious problems in finding appropriate and affordable rental units, as well as a persistent threat of eviction by homeowners. These challenges tend to predispose renters to psychosocial distress and diminishing ontological security. Findings are relevant to a range of pluralistic policy options that emphasize both formal and informal housing provision, together with the reorganization and decentralization of the Rent Control Board to the district level to facilitate easy access by the citizenry.