Resettlement of Slum Dwellers, Land Tenure Security and Improved Housing, Living and Environmental Conditions at Madina Estate, Accra, Ghana

Abstract

This research illustrates and analyses the effects of land tenure security on two groups of low-income slum dwellers of Accra (the Ghanaian capital) who have been resettled in 1975 and 1993. The problem of squatting in Accra has been attributed to deficits in housing supply and the high rents of decent accommodation which have left some of the poor with little or no choice but to squat illegally on private or public property. Due to the failure of previous policies to solve the housing problems of the squatters in the capital, this study was conceived to verify the effects of land tenure security and assess the merits of tenure security as an alternative approach to enable low-income residents of the city to improve their housing. Even though tenure security may not be the only condition needed to improve the housing situation of the low-income people of Accra, it can nevertheless be argued that observable improvements and transformations in living conditions have occurred among low-income urbanites that have some sort of tenure security. This research was therefore driven by the central question: to what extent is there a relationship between tenure security and access to housing, and improved living and environmental conditions? A mixed method research design was adopted to draw on relevant information for the research. The study revealed that adequate resettlement of slum dwellers and granting them land tenure security indeed enhanced their access to housing, and improved their living and environmental conditions.