The Works and Housing Ministry says although it has no intention to control rent charges in Ghana it is exploring ways of protecting vulnerable tenants from exploitation by landlords.

Many residents in urban areas especially the national capital Accra, have lamented high rent and long-term rent advance charges which exceed the legal threshold of six months.

To address this, Deputy Minister for Works and Housing Minister, Dr Prince Hamid Armah said there have been discussions to strengthen the rent control laws.

“We want to ensure that we strengthen the capacity of the department to be able to deliver the mandate espoused in the act that they are operating with,” he said.

He made these comments during a working visit to the rent control department on June 13.

Dr Armah indicated that these reforms will include improving the digitalisation system of the department.

The Deputy Works and Housing Minister added that his outfit is working to find middle grounds that will protect investments of landlords while checking against exploitation.

“We live in a liberalised economy where people get their own resources and build their own houses. We want to avoid situations where you are controlling the market. Government also has a responsibility to protect the vulnerable, so balancing in these interests we are sure that we will find a middle ground.