Minister for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea,
The Ministry of Works and Housing has expressed dissatisfaction with reports that have gone viral suggesting that the government will absorb the rent obligation of persons likely to face eviction from their landlords amid the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the reports, the Minister of Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea, made the comment on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at a press briefing organised by the Information Ministry on landlords and tenants relationship during the Covid-19 challenges.
However, a release from the Ministry signed by its Public Relations officer, Zakari Musah, indicated that those reports were misreported with some portions of the Minister’s statement omitted from the full phrase.
“According to the Minister, if somebody should push that people have no place to live as a result of the COVID-19 challenges should have their rent paid, we should be able to absorb it if we have the financial space,” it clarified.
Generosity
It further explained that the Ministry believes that following the stay home directive, it will be difficult for tenants who may be threatened by landlords for eviction to comply and “it will be ‘UNGHANAIAN’ if tenants are evicted in these challenging times.
The Ministry therefore appealed to landlords to emulate the President by showing uttermost care and generosity to tenants during this period.
“As His Excellency the President of the Republic is showing uttermost care and generosity in these trying moments in the nation’s history, landlords are entreated to extend similar treatment to tenants as they will not be spared if they exploit the situation and fall foul of the law,” it said.
The Ministry says it is committed in ensuring a cordial relationship between landlords and tenants “for peace and tranquility and for the benefit of all.”
Caution
“The Ministry would like to remind landlords to be wary of potential tenants from foreign countries since it is mandatory to insist that without a COVID-19 negative clearance, the landlord should not rent out the premises. It is also important to note that the virus is an importation from foreigners and those who had contacts with them prior to the lockdown,” the statement said.
