When you rent a room or an apartment at Airbnb located at East Legon and other parts of the city, one has to pay a staggering $2,400 monthly, sparking debate over rising rental costs and the affordability crisis in major cities.
The cost of living in Ghana, particularly in upscale areas like East Legon and some parts of Accra, has reached alarming levels, and it’s ordinary Ghanaians who are paying the price, especially when it comes to rent.
The situation has become so extreme that one-bedroom apartments are being listed for over $2,400 per month, a figure that is utterly shocking considering the country’s average income levels.
Many landlords and property owners, especially in high-demand neighbourhoods, appear to be taking full advantage of both locals and foreigners.
These inflated prices not only make it difficult for middle-income earners to secure decent housing, but they also contribute to a growing sense of inequality.
The matter is even more concerning on rental platforms like Airbnb, where some hosts are charging rates on par with — or even higher than — European cities. This is, although the cost of living and economic realities in Ghana are nowhere near those in London, Paris, or Berlin.
The government of Ghana must step in and call people to order, especially landlords and property owners. Left unchecked, these outrageous rental costs will continue to deepen the housing crisis, alienate ordinary citizens, and turn major parts of Accra into exclusive zones for the ultra-rich.
The heart of the issue is fairness. Affordable housing is not just a privilege — it’s a right. And when property owners, aided by unregulated online marketplaces, charge residents the same rates as high-income earners in Europe, something is deeply wrong.
Ghanaian and French musician, Maddy Maznaz, has taken to social media to express her frustration and heartbreak after discovering the staggering cost of renting accommodation in Accra through Airbnb.
According to her, she was shocked to find a one-bedroom apartment listed for $2,400 per month, a price tag she described as “outrageous” and completely out of touch with Ghana’s economic reality.
The property, located in East Legon, sparked outrage online as many Ghanaians and social media users echoed her concerns.
Critics argued that such rates are not only unaffordable for the average citizen but also exploitative, with landlords and hosts taking advantage of the high demand for short-term rentals.
She took to X to vent her frustrations about the charges at Airbnb.
“What is going on here?” she lamented in her viral post. “These prices are the same as in Europe, yet we are in Ghana. This is insane!”
Her complaint sheds light on a growing trend in Accra’s real estate market, particularly in areas like East Legon, Airport Residential, and Cantonments, where Airbnb listings often match — and sometimes exceed — the costs of similar apartments in major Western cities.
Many believe the problem stems from a lack of rental price regulation in Ghana. With Airbnb providing a global platform, some property owners target wealthy foreigners and expatriates, sidelining locals who cannot afford such exorbitant rates.
Housing advocates have called on the government to take action, warning that unchecked rental inflation could worsen the housing crisis, push locals out of prime areas, and create an even deeper divide between the wealthy and the working class.
For now, Maddy Maznaz’s tearful outburst has sparked a much-needed conversation about the ethics of rental pricing in Ghana — and whether the country’s property market is in urgent need of reform.
Her post joins the trends on X with the hashtag #RentMustbeReduced
