The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is currently battling a severe housing crisis, with a reported deficit of approximately 17,000 accommodation units for its personnel.
Despite several initiatives launched over the past decade to address the problem, many of the projects have stalled, leaving structures incomplete and abandoned.
One of the most notable examples is a 32-unit, 2-bedroom apartment block at Biekro Barracks in Tema Manhean, which began in 2014 but remains unfinished, overtaken by weeds and occupied by squatters.
On Thursday, July 17, the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, toured several of these stalled military infrastructure sites, including Biekro Barracks.
Disturbed by the state of the buildings, he pledged to make their completion a key priority of his tenure.
“The current state of these buildings is unacceptable. We cannot continue to allow critical infrastructure to rot while our personnel struggle for decent accommodation,” Dr. Boamah said during his visit.
Military officials have warned that the accommodation shortfall affects emergency troop mobilization, compromises readiness, and weakens the force’s operational effectiveness.
To address the crisis, Dr. Boamah announced a new initiative by the government under President John Mahama to construct 10,000 housing units for the GAF over the next three years.
“This will not just be another promise. We are committed to seeing action not just words,” he emphasized.
The announcement has been received with cautious optimism, with many stakeholders calling for transparency and swift implementation to avoid a repeat of past delays.
The Defence Ministry insists it is committed to breaking the cycle of neglect and fulfilling its obligation to the men and women in uniform.
