The government is set to build 50,000 housing units for teachers nationwide aimed at improving their living conditions and encouraging them to remain in the profession, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has announced.

Mr Iddrisu said the project would be spearheaded by the District Assemblies Common Fund and implemented at the regional and district levels to ensure that teachers across the country benefit from improved accommodation facilities.

“We intend to construct 50,000 housing units for teachers all across the country. It is led by the District Assemblies Common Fund because we want to decentralise it at the regional and district levels,” he said.

Speaking at the Government’s Accountability Series on Monday, July 20, the Minister said the initiative forms part of government’s broader efforts to improve teachers’ welfare and provide the necessary support to enhance their effectiveness in the classroom.

“I’m happy to note that the teacher remains pivotal to the school environment and even to the organisation of school management,” he said.

Mr Iddrisu added that improving the motivation and well-being of teachers remains a priority for the government.

“Therefore, our government places priority on the motivation and well-being of teachers,” he added.

The Education Minister further disclosed that the Ministry of Education would provide collateral support through the Ghana Education Service Occupational Pension Scheme (GESOPS) to help ensure the successful implementation of the housing project.

“The Ministry of Education will provide collateral support using our pension fund of GESOPS to make sure that this also becomes a reality,” he stated.

Mr Iddrisu said the housing initiative would complement other measures introduced to encourage teachers to serve in deprived communities, including a 20 percent allowance for teachers who accept postings to rural areas.

“Apart from the 20 per cent allowance for persons who accept postings into rural areas, we are almost through, led by the District Assemblies Common Fund, with our Teacher Dabre Initiative, which is a bold government programme of President John Dramani Mahama to provide accommodation facilities for teachers across the country,” he said.

He said the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to creating better conditions for teachers, particularly in rural communities where inadequate accommodation remains a challenge.