In a statement released on March 12, 2024, the Union, led by Secretary-General Frederick Opoku, has called for the immediate publication of the beneficiaries of the National Rental Assistance Scheme (NRAS), launched by the Ministry of Works and Housing on January 31, 2023.
The NRAS was initiated to address the longstanding issue of rent advance payments, providing financial assistance to citizens. One year after its launch, on February 7, 2024, the former Works and Housing Minister, Hon. Francis Asenso Boakye, reported to Parliament that 1,492 citizens had benefited from the scheme, with a total amount of GHS19 Million disbursed to the beneficiaries. However, the Minister failed to provide detailed information about the individuals who benefited from the program.
The Union is now urging the Ministry of Housing to promptly publish the names of the beneficiaries, categorized by regions and communities. This call is motivated by the desire to gain insight into the effectiveness of the NRAS and ensure it serves its intended purpose.
Furthermore, the Union is requesting the Ministry to organize stakeholder engagements and suspend the NRAS for a comprehensive review. The review aims to address identified anomalies that may impact the success of the scheme. Some highlighted issues include the high interest rate of 24% on the rent loan, the non-refundable loan processing fee of GHC 100.00, and the duration the scheme pays as rent advance for beneficiaries.
These concerns, among others, have prompted the Union to advocate for greater transparency and a thorough review of the NRAS. The Union emphasizes the urgency of addressing affordable housing needs, calling on all stakeholders to contribute to the enhancement of the scheme.
