The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed that approximately 30.8% of Ghana’s urban population, or about 4.8 million people, live in slum conditions.

The “Slums and Informal Settlements Thematic Report,” based on the 2021 Population and Housing Census, highlights significant disparities in housing, basic services, and tenure security across the country’s urban areas, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve living conditions.

The report indicates that slum conditions are particularly concentrated in the Northern, Savannah, and Oti Regions, as well as in Greater Accra, Central, and Ashanti. The GSS defines “urban” localities not just by population size, but also by access to essential infrastructure like electricity, water, schools, and health facilities. Shockingly, only 10% of localities in Ghana meet this full definition, underscoring the mismatch between population concentration and service access.

The report’s findings extend beyond physical conditions, revealing significant disparities in education, health, and overall well-being. Non-literacy rates are more than double in slum areas compared to non-slum areas. Slum households also report higher fertility rates and are more exposed to poor environmental and health outcomes.

Speaking at the launch dated Monday, June 30, the Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu emphasized the urgency of translating the data into targeted responses, urging stakeholders to build safe and inclusive cities.

“Every slum we transform and every household we uplift brings us closer to the safe, inclusive cities every Ghanaian deserves. Let’s build together,” he said.

Meanwhile, the report aligns with Ghana’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11 on inclusive and sustainable cities. The GSS has therefore encouraged all stakeholders to utilize the findings to guide planning and investment decisions.