Rent can now be paid via MoMo – Bawumia vaunts as he launches Nat’l Rental Assistance Scheme

Vice President Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia says the landmark initiatives such as the digital address system and mobile money interoperability introduced in the first term of the government as part of the digital transformation drive are paying dividends.

He said those initiatives have become the building blocks for new programmes such as the National Rental Assistance Scheme, which was launched on Tuesday, January 31.

Speaking at the launch, Vice President Dr Bawumia charged the implementing ministry, the Ministry of Works and Housing, not to renege on its oversight responsibility in ensuring that the programme is successful.

The programme is starting off in six regions – Greater Accra, Ashanti, Northern, Western, Eastern and Bono East.

But the Vice President said sooner than later it will be expanded to the rest of the country.

Minister of Works and Housing Francis Asenso-Boakye announced a GH¢30 million seed money for the take-off of the programme.

He the first six regions were considered on the basis of higher rent advance issues recorded.

Scheme Manager Richard Acheampong said the process has been so simplified that even a fifth-grader can go through.

He, however, indicated that an affordability assessment will be conducted for each application before approval.

Speaking at the event, the Secretary of National Tenants Union, Frederick Opoku, charged government to make the application process fair and transparent in order to rid it of favouritism.

Secretary-General of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) Dr Anthony Yaw Baah appealed to the authorities to consider single mothers for the policy.

He said the launch comes timely as it will bring a big relief to a lot of workers.