ISSER Reports High Returns on Sanitation Investment as Ghana Employers Association Proposes 25-Year Mortgage Plan

Ghana faces significant infrastructure challenges in sanitation and housing, but new proposals from the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) and the Ghana Employers Association (GEA) suggest these sectors could be massive drivers of economic growth. ISSER's recent policy brief reveals that strategic investment in waste management could yield a staggering GH₵556 for every GH₵1 spent. Simultaneously, the GEA is advocating for a National Home Ownership Programme to tackle the country's housing deficit of 1.8 million units through affordable GH₵250,000 homes.

According to ISSER, the economic returns on sanitation are currently being suppressed by significant underfunding. While Ghana currently spends an average of GH₵38.78 per tonne on waste management, aligning this with the lower-middle-income country average of GH₵1,028 could transform the national economy. The report predicts that such an investment would reduce sanitation-related morbidity by 97.4% and deaths by 81%. By 2025, the projected annual economic benefits from healthcare savings and increased productivity could reach GH₵58.1 billion, potentially rising to GH₵67.2 billion by 2032.

On the housing front, the Ghana Employers Association has presented a proposal aimed at solving the nation’s structural housing shortage. Speaking at the 2nd National Labour Conference in Ho, GEA President Nana Dr. Emmanuel Adu-Sarkodee outlined a plan for a National Home Ownership Programme. The initiative centers on providing homes valued at GH₵250,000 under a 25-year mortgage scheme. This initiative is designed not only to provide shelter for workers but also to stimulate the construction industry, creating jobs and fostering long-term economic stability.

Both proposals emphasize a shift in perspective, viewing sanitation and housing as vital economic investments rather than mere social costs. ISSER highlights that better waste management is particularly critical as Ghana grapples with frequent flooding, which exacerbates public health crises and economic disruptions. Together, these initiatives suggest that by prioritizing basic infrastructure and affordable credit for housing, Ghana can unlock billions in latent economic value and improve the quality of life for its citizens.