It is a great honor to stand before you today. We are gathered here at this important conference to talk about our future; about the” Africa We Want: Driving Transformational and Inclusive Green Growth through ESGS and Digitalization”. The theme for this conference is very relevant as we cannot afford to be left behind in this global competitive age. The topic for my keynote address is BUILDING THE CITIES WE WANT: REAL ESTATE, AFFORDABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE. This subject matter is right at the center of the hearts of many people desiring to acquire or live in decent affordable environmentally friendly homes.

I think we can all agree that across our nation, and across our continent, there is a deep, shared worry. It’s a question that weighs on the hearts of millions: How will I find a good, safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly place for my family to live?

Here in Ghana, the numbers are stark. We have a housing deficit of nearly two million units. But we must remember, these are not just numbers. These are families. These are dreams deferred. Our country needs to build well over a hundred thousand new homes each year to keep up, but we are building less than half of that.

Building the cities We want requires a combination of strategic decentralization, sustainable mid-sized growth, and fixing current infrastructure deficits.

Ghana is actively shaping its urban future through the newly launched National Urban Policy and Implementation Plan (2026–2035) and the Ghana Sustainable Cities Strategy (GSCS) 

African cities are growing faster than their housing stock and Ghana is not an exception and there is a need for stronger collaboration to address the ever-increasing housing deficit in Ghana currently standing at 2 million. Despite the growth in property development, Ghana continues to face a substantial housing deficit. Annual demand for housing is estimated at more than 100,000 units while actual supply falls far below this level. This imbalance presents both a social challenge and a powerful investment signal. And for developers, contractors, financiers, mortgage providers and policy makers, the housing gap represents one of the most significant long term investment opportunities in Ghana and Africa. For Ghana’s growing workforce, the availability of affordable housing is also a critical factor in economic stability and urban planning.

In vigorously pursuing building the cities we want, the real estate contribution, the affordability and environmental performance discussion cannot be overlooked.

We align with the newly launched National urban policy and implementation plan (2026-2035) and the Ghana Sustainable cities Strategy (GSCS) and their core strategies for urban transformation:

• Decongesting Accra: Proposals include building a new planned city outside the overcrowded capital and moving key state institutions over a 20-year horizon to ease pressure and reduce flood risks.
• Investing in Mid-Sized Clusters: The Ghana Sustainable Cities Strategy focuses proactive investments on fast-growing urban hubs—such as Tamale, Wa, Ho, Sunyani, Techiman, Bolgatanga, and Denu—to prevent the expensive retrofitting required by Accra and Kumasi.
• Prioritizing Critical Sectors: Efforts target four pillars: solid waste management (to curb emissions and reduce floods), urban mobility (shifting from car dependence), affordable housing, and smart land administration.
• People-Centered Spatial Planning: Experts from the Ghana Institute of Architects emphasize that urban design must go beyond technical layouts to focus on how citizens interact with mobility, public spaces, and daily services.
• Taking the discussion further by exploring strategies to address flooding and waste management challenges.

REAL ESTATE in Ghana must be a major driving force in pursuing affordability and environmental performance for the general good of the people of Ghana. The Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA) must be seen as key partners in driving this vision of building the cities we want in Ghana. Real Estate and construction together represent one of the most important contributors to Ghana’s economic activity contributing between 6-8% to Ghana’s GDP over the past several years. The sector is one of the largest employers in the country supporting architects, engineers, contractors, artisans, surveyors, legal professionals, building material suppliers.

At Adom City Estate, we have spent a lot of time thinking about this. We believe in affordability and environmental performance. The reason we remain a major force in affordable housing and currently the leading affordable housing developer in Ghana. Our approach is built on a simple, human idea. We want to build homes that everyday Ghanaians can afford. We want to build in a way that cares for our beautiful environment. And we want to build not just houses, but real communities where life can flourish.

First, we believe in affordability with dignity. A home is the bedrock of a family’s life. It is where children do their homework, where meals are shared, where memories are made. It should be a source of pride, not a lifelong burden. While a typical house in Accra can cost more than many will ever earn, we are committed to creating homes for our teachers, our nurses, our hardworking artisans, and our young professionals. Homes they can own without sacrificing everything else.

Secondly, when we talk about Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG), it resonates deeply with our work. It is the story of what we do every day. We care for our environment by using the sun, by harvesting water, and by managing our waste wisely. We serve our social mission by creating affordable homes and good jobs. And we uphold strong governance by being transparent, accountable, and innovative, earning the trust of every family that places their future in our hands. The company performs as a steward of nature and waste management and resource remain at the forefront of what we do.

So, what is the dream we are working towards? It is a simple one. It is a Ghana where no family has to wonder where they will sleep in peace and safety. We dream of communities entirely powered by clean energy. We dream of building the cities we want. We dream of homes that are not just affordable, but are also smart and strong, environmentally friendly and ready for the future.

A Final Word of Hope

My dear friends, as we discuss and deliberate on this powerful theme as part of ICESDA 2026-The Africa We Want: Driving Transformational and Inclusive Green Growth through ESGS and Digitalization”. we cannot forget about housing (Building the cities we want). A house is so much more than concrete and steel. It is the foundation of dignity. It is the anchor for stability. It is the birthplace of hope.

At Adom, we see this not as a distant dream, but as a tangible reality we are building, one home at a time. It is possible as we reset our minds. And if we come together—government, business, and community—I know we can build a future where every single Ghanaian family has a place to call home. We still remain the PRIDE OF HOUSING.

It reminds me of a wise Ghanaian proverb that guides our work:

“The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people.”

But so does its greatness. If we build strong, dignified, and sustainable homes, we are building a strong, dignified, environmentally friendly and sustainable future for all of us.

Thank you for your time, and may God bless each and every one of you.

Long Live ICESDA!!!

Long Live ADOM CITY ESTATES!!!

Long Live Ghana!!!

By Rev. Joseph Opoku-Adjei
Group Managing Director, Adom Group of Companies (On behalf of the Founder and Group CEO, Adom Group of Companies)

On behalf of the Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer, Chairman Bright Adom