State Housing Company sets October 15 deadline for illegal occupants

The State Housing Company (SHC) Limited has issued a final directive to all individuals and entities unlawfully occupying its lands and properties to vacate or regularize their status by October 15, 2026. This announcement, delivered by Deputy Managing Director Samuel Atukwei Quaye, signals the commencement of a comprehensive nationwide land audit and recovery exercise. The initiative is designed to reclaim encroached public assets and secure the necessary space for new housing developments aimed at addressing the national housing deficit.

According to Mr. Quaye, this final notice follows the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum and several previous warnings that many unauthorized occupants failed to heed. Despite using multiple communication channels to encourage compliance, the SHC reported that many encroachers continued to occupy state land without authorization. The company is now prepared to take decisive enforcement actions. However, the Deputy Managing Director emphasized that the SHC remains open to those with legitimate claims or expired leases, urging them to contact the company immediately to resolve their legal status before the recovery phase begins.

In executing the land audit, the SHC is collaborating with Inok Holding Limited to ensure the process is thorough and legally sound. The exercise targets not only physical encroachers but also those with outstanding ground rents or lapsed lease agreements. Mr. Quaye also issued a cautionary warning to prospective property buyers, advising them to verify ownership with the SHC before purchasing land. He stressed that the company would take immediate action to recover any state-owned property that had been unlawfully acquired by third parties.

This recovery effort is part of a broader mandate to protect public assets and ensure that state lands are utilized for their intended purpose: the provision of organized residential housing. By reclaiming these territories, the SHC plans to roll out new projects and improve the overall management of existing estates. As the October 15 deadline approaches, the SHC has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the law and protecting state property for the benefit of all Ghanaians.