Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has announced plans by the government to construct 50,000 housing units for teachers across the country as part of efforts to improve accommodation conditions and encourage teacher retention, particularly in rural communities.
According to him, the initiative, known as the Teacher Dabre Initiative, is a government programme designed to provide decent housing facilities for teachers and address challenges associated with inadequate accommodation in some parts of the country.
Speaking at the Accountability Series on Monday, July 20, the Education Minister said the project would be implemented through a decentralised system, with the District Assemblies Common Fund leading the construction at the regional and district levels.
“We intend to construct 50,000 housing units for teachers all across the country. It is led by the District Assemblies Common Fund in order that we want to decentralise it at the regional and district level,” he said.
The Minister explained that the Ministry of Education would provide additional support to ensure the project becomes a reality, including the use of pension fund resources from the Ghana Secondary School Pension (GSOP) as collateral support.
The Minister also disclosed that government was close to finalising arrangements for a 20% allowance for teachers who voluntarily accept postings to rural areas.
“Apart from the 20% allowance for persons who are self-posting into rural areas, we are almost through,” Mr. Iddrisu stated.
The proposed housing project forms part of broader measures by government to improve teacher welfare, address accommodation challenges and make rural postings more attractive for educators.
