A Model for Reactivating Abandoned Public Housing Projects in Ghana

Abstract

In Ghana, the housing deficit is not well known. However, the root causes which are improper planning and incoherent political activities, mismanagement and consequently, abandonment of public housing projects are easily identifiable. Even projects established in the colonial period to provide shelter were abandoned. Some housing projects initiated for mere selfish politics, (face-saving purpose) only to be abandoned along the way. Worse still, others were commenced to please electorates so as to avert threats and disloyalty from them, whiles the politicians well know that, the government’s finances cannot complete those projects.  This paper examines the root causes of public housing project abandonment, with the aid of “root cause analysis”, to identify the causes of public housing project abandonment in four well-documented cases of abandoned public projects drawn mainly from literature. The findings are synthesized into a Cause-Effect Summary (CES), culminating in a model for reactivating the abandoned housing projects. The findings identify three major categories of causes for public housing project abandonment, namely (1) poor project implementation, (2) negative politics practiced by the governments that culminate in abandonment of public projects (3) lack of proper structures that ensure the continuation of public projects when there is a change in government. These three major categories of causes are iteratively refined and eventually, the root causes emerge. This information is then used as a guide, with the aid of “Cause and Effect Diagram”, to generate a model that could be used to revive abandoned housing projects as well as ensure its sustenance.

The model presented three main factors that when adopted could lead to project restoration. They are (a) proper implementation of public housing project, (b) positive politics practiced by government, (c) adequate structures that ensure continuation of public housing projects when there is a change in government.

Key words: Housing Deficit, Sustainability of Public Projects.