Why Land and Housing Costs Are Skyrocketing in Ghana – Woodfields Development Company Explains

One of Ghana’s major real estate developers, Woodfields Development Company, has revealed the harsh realities driving the escalating cost of land and housing in the country.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, the company attributed the surge in property prices to persistent land litigation, fraudulent sales, encroachment, and the expensive process of securing legitimate land titles.

According to Mr. Benard Kusi Appau, Director of Operations and Public Affairs at Woodfields, estate developers are forced to make massive upfront investments—not only in infrastructure—but in legal battles, security, and reclaiming land from illegal occupants.

“Before we even start building, we spend millions dealing with fake owners, landguards, and long, expensive court cases. These costs are eventually passed on to the buyers,” Appau said.

The Hidden Costs Behind Every Plot

Woodfields Development Company has invested over $20.5 million in acquiring and protecting a 217-acre property at Chrematinville, a planned private city within the Greater Accra Region. The land, part of the 1,650-acre former Nungua Farms area, was originally public land acquired by the colonial government and later returned to the Nungua Stool through a negotiated process.

Despite a formal agreement with the Stool, government consent, and a court-backed settlement, Woodfields says it has faced relentless challenges from individuals and groups attempting to resell portions of the land, occupy it unlawfully, or block development efforts.

“Imagine investing millions to build roads, provide electricity and water, only to have someone show up with fake documents to sell the same land to another party,” Appau lamented.

Legal Hurdles and Institutional Bottlenecks

Woodfields also cited bureaucratic red tape and inconsistent enforcement of property laws as key contributors to the high cost of doing business in the sector. In one instance, the company was ruled against by a High Court due to the absence of a plotting stamp on a survey plan—despite the fact that original documents were approved and signed by plotting officers from the Lands Commission.

The company has since appealed the judgment and secured a stay of execution, but the ongoing litigation adds to the overall project cost, which inevitably reflects in property prices.

Encroachers, Landguards, and Double Sales

The situation is further worsened by land encroachment and “landguard” operations, which have plagued developers for years. Woodfields claims that individuals posing as traditional authorities continue to sell portions of their land illegally, despite having received prior compensation.

“We’ve dealt with people who were arrested and warned by the police not to interfere, only to return months later with fresh claims. This criminal behavior puts a heavy financial burden on developers,” Appau said.

Advice to Buyers: Verify Before You Buy

The company is urging prospective buyers to always engage with certified and legally recognized developers to avoid falling victim to fraud or future demolitions. “The cost of land may seem high now, but it’s still cheaper than losing your entire investment due to buying from the wrong source,” Appau warned.

A Call for Stronger Land Governance

Woodfields concluded by calling on government institutions, especially the Lands Commission and the Judiciary, to enforce existing laws more strictly and protect genuine developers.

“The housing deficit in Ghana won’t be solved until we fix the chaos in our land administration system. The law must work—not just for developers, but for every Ghanaian dreaming of owning a home,” Appau emphasized.