His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, flagbearer of Ghana’s main opposition has advised the government of Ghana to consider putting a moratorium on rent payments at least until the economy bounces back to life post-COVID-19.
According to the former president, a young lady he interacted with during a recent visit to affected communities shared with him her landlord’s demand for “the rent for February and March or she faces ejection”.
“From my interactions with the people, one that struck me most was the concern of a young woman that her landlord is demanding the rent for February and March or she faces ejection. She’s been home for a while due to the lockdown and cannot raise the funds to pay. Rent, as we have learnt from other countries is one of the key areas government intervention is required in mitigating the impact of COVID-19.”
His call was also to the government to consider giving relief to property owners as well by giving them tax holidays and exemptions.
“In Ghana, properties are privately owned and rents are paid for several years in advance. Government and property owners would have to devise a scheme to come to the aid of tenants who are unable to pay their rents. A moratorium on ejections as a first step will be helpful to many who have lost their daily income as a result of the lockdown. In return, I believe Government can compensate landlords and landladies for any income lost through tax reliefs, exemptions among others.”
The issue of rent has not come up in Nana Akufo-Addo’s COVID-19 interventions so far. The government has put a hold on utility payments, especially water for the next three (3) months; 50% discount on electricity payment for low-income earners and a 50% increase in salaries for frontline health workers.
