In an effort to address the housing crisis and the challenges faced by tenants, Ghana’s Ministry of Works and Housing has launched a online rental platformwith the aim of improving transparency, access and fairness in the Ghanaian rental market.
However, while the platform is a step in the right direction, its launch has revealed several shortcomings, leaving it incomplete in its current state.
The vision behind the platform
The digital platform is intended to offer a range of services, including the ability to register properties, lodge complaints and resolve disputes online, eliminating the need for in-person visits.
In addition, digital lease agreements should be able to be processed electronically and unique digital property addresses will be assigned to all rental properties, making the rental market more organized and transparent.
Affirmative gaps in application
Despite these positive intentions, several critical aspects of the platform remain underdeveloped, leaving it “incomplete”.
We tried to search for properties on the platform, but we could not get any listings.
Additionally, the user experience has left a lot to be desired. The FAQ section does not have enough information about navigating the platform with most of the sections “empty”.
The platform has unclear instructions about registration and logging in, which makes it difficult to navigate. Tried to register but didn’t receive OTP to continue.
These issues will make it difficult for users to access the information they need, which could ultimately deter users from using the platform altogether.
Lack of features at launch
The Ministry of Works and Housing has said that digital leases will be able to be processed online. However, we were unable to test how this feature would work due to the inability to register or even find the information on the platform.
Enforcement and oversight issues
There is also the issue of data protection and privacy, which has not been adequately addressed. The site does not have a privacy policy and does not state how the data used on the platform is handled.
The road ahead
While Ghana’s online rental platform has the potential to transform the rental market, it is clear that significant improvements are needed to realize its full potential.
The government needs to take urgent action to address gaps in property listings, user experience and regulatory enforcement. If these issues are not resolved, the platform risks becoming another underutilized public service.
Until then, the platform remains a work in progress, offering a glimpse of what could be a transformative tool, but not fully delivering on its promise—yet.
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