Accra, GHANA — President John Dramani Mahama has issued a firm directive to tenants, urging them to report landlords who demand rent advances exceeding the legal limit to the Rent Court, with a promise that the government will ensure offenders are held accountable. The President made the call during a meeting with Organised Labour at the Jubilee House in Accra on Tuesday, responding to a widespread public outcry over the common practice of landlords demanding two to three years of rent upfront. He assured tenants that they no longer need to suffer in silence, stating unequivocally, “You can report them to the rent court, and we will ensure they are dealt with.”

The President’s statement serves as a reinforcement of the existing Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220), which clearly prohibits landlords from demanding more than six months’ rent advance for any tenancy exceeding six months. Despite this long-standing law, the practice of demanding exorbitant advance payments has become normalized, placing a significant financial burden on Ghanaian workers and families. By empowering tenants to seek legal redress, President Mahama is aiming to dismantle this exploitative practice and restore the protections that are legally afforded to tenants but have been widely ignored.

President Mahama attributed the rise in these excessive demands to Ghana’s significant housing deficit, which gives landlords disproportionate leverage in negotiations. He acknowledged that the scarcity of affordable housing forces desperate tenants to agree to unlawful terms, creating a cycle of exploitation. To address this root cause, the President called for a broader national housing dialogue to develop a sustainable social housing policy. Such a policy, he noted, could make homeownership more attainable for workers through favorable mortgages and also help regulate the rental market to ensure fairer costs.

Report landlords who demand more than 6 months’ rent advance to the Rent Court, we will hold them accountable… – Pres. Mahama #GHOneNews #EIBNetwork #GHOneTV #NewsAlert pic.twitter.com/zjOCiJSCrK

— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) March 18, 2026

While the President’s directive has been welcomed as a crucial step toward tenant protection, it also highlights the need for systemic reform within the institutions responsible for enforcement. The Rent Control Department, which manages these disputes, faces significant logistical challenges, including a severe shortage of resources, which hampers its ability to effectively investigate and act on complaints. As a new Rent Bill is currently being considered to modernize the outdated 1963 Act and potentially establish a more powerful Ghana Rent Authority, the government’s commitment to holding landlords accountable will depend not only on tenant action but also on strengthening the very courts and agencies tasked with upholding the law.

An Okada rider is currently receiving medical treatment for a serious head injury following a collision with a tipper truck earlier today. According to an eyewitness at the scene, the accident occurred when the motorcycle taxi, which was reportedly traveling at high speed, lost control and collided with the heavy-duty vehicle. The impact of the crash left the rider with significant head trauma, and emergency services were quickly alerted to the scene.

Bystanders and first responders moved swiftly to assist the injured rider before he was rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care. As of the time of this report, the current condition of the rider remains unknown, and authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. The driver of the tipper truck is understood to be cooperating with investigators as they work to determine the full sequence of events that led to the crash.

BREAKING —

An okada rider has collided with a tipper truck, and according to an eyewitness, the rider was speeding. He sustained a head injury and has been rushed to the hospital. pic.twitter.com/NZiKMkzzsU

— THE STATE NEWS (@THESTATENEWSS) March 19, 2026

This accident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing risks present on our roads, particularly the vulnerability of Okada riders. While the eyewitness account points to excessive speed as a contributing factor, the incident underscores the critical need for all road users, especially motorcyclists, to exercise extreme caution and adhere to safety regulations. The lack of protection for riders makes head injuries a common and severe outcome in such collisions, highlighting the life-saving importance of wearing proper safety gear at all times. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the rider’s condition as more information becomes available.