Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye

Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye, MP, is a distinguished public servant currently serving as the Minister for Works and Housing in Ghana, and Member of Parliament for the Bantama constituency. With over twenty-five (25) years of experience in development planning, project management, and policy, Asenso-Boakye has held several significant positions throughout his career.

Prior to his appointment as Minister, he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Political Assistant to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. During this time, he played a crucial role in aligning plans and programs of the various ministries with the President’s agenda, managing the President’s engagements with stakeholders, and overseeing impactful projects across the country.

As the Minister for Works and Housing, Asenso-Boakye is responsible for initiating, formulating, and implementing policies, projects, and programmes in the works and housing sub-sector to promote national development. He has achieved notable milestones, such as the establishment of the National Rental Assistance Scheme (NRAS), which provides rent advance payments to support low-middle income earners and alleviate the burden of paying rent upfront.

Furthermore, he led the passage of the Ghana Hydrological Authority Act, 2022 (Act 1085), which transformed the Hydrological Services Department into the autonomous Ghana Hydrological Authority. This Authority regulates the delivery of hydrological services and promotes efficient water management, including flood control, coastal engineering, sewerage, drainage improvement, and river development.

Under the leadership of Hon. Asenso-Boakye, he has also seen to the successful establishment of the Real Estate Agency Council (REAC), a regulatory body established by the Real Estate Agency Act, 2020 (Act 1047), with the mandate of overseeing and regulating the operations of real estate agencies. Additionally, REAC is entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring and evaluating real estate transactions to safeguard the interests of consumers. By ensuring adherence to standards and promoting transparency, REAC plays a vital role in maintaining a fair and secure real estate market for all stakeholders.

Currently, Asenso-Boakye is leading the review of the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220) and the Rent Control Law, 1986 (P.N.D.C.L 138), with the aim of eliminating constraints and introducing incentives to stimulate private sector investment in the rental housing sector. The draft Bill is currently under consideration by Parliament.

Additionally, he has initiated steps for the establishment of the Ghana Housing Authority (GHA) to lead the supply side of the housing market. The Authority will not only serve as a regulator in the sector, but also as a facilitator to plan and manage housing development in the country. The Ghana Housing Authority will help complement the activities of the National Housing and Mortgage Fund in addressing the challenges of the housing market.

Notably, he is leading government’s efforts in the implementation of a safe, secure, decent and quality Affordable Housing programme to enhance access to housing through projects in Pokuase/Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region and Dedesua in the Ashanti Region. His efforts have resulted in the acquisition of land banks specifically allocated for these projects. The intervention seeks to cater to the housing needs of the low-to-middle income group, including public sector workers, and make affordable housing more accessible to them. These projects represent a significant stride towards addressing the housing challenges faced by many Ghanaians.

Overall, Asenso-Boakye is committed to promoting sustainable development, improving housing accessibility, and creating an enabling environment for private sector investment in the housing sector in Ghana. His extensive experience and dedication to public service make him a valuable asset in shaping the works and housing sector of the Ghanaian economy.

Asenso-Boakye’s career encompasses diverse roles in various sectors. He worked as a Development Communication Specialist at the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, where he focused on eliminating child labour in cocoa-growing communities. He also played a key role in coordinating efforts with the United States Government and the chocolate industry to eradicate child labour practices.

In addition, he has experience in the private sector, having worked at Global Media Alliance, where he managed high-profile projects such as the Ghana@50 fireworks display and the African Cup of Nations Opening and Closing Ceremonies. He also gained valuable insights into housing project planning and management during his tenure at Delta Acquisitions and Development LLC in the United States, where he monitored real estate acquisitions and oversaw home construction.

Asenso-Boakye’s dedication to public service extends to his work in the United States as a Policy and Research Associate for State Representative Michael C. Murphy and the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus. In this capacity, he addressed policy and legislative issues affecting African American and minority communities, including affordable housing.

His career also includes positions as a Planning Officer at the Ghana Free Zones Board and a Research Analyst at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, where he focused on attracting foreign direct investment and infrastructure development.

He graduated from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where he earned a B.Sc. degree in Development Planning. He further pursued his education and obtained a Master of Public Policy and Administration degree from Michigan State University in Michigan, USA, as a Rotary Scholar.

Prior to his successful academic journey, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye actively engaged in student activism and played a crucial role as the founding president of the Tertiary Students Confederacy of the NPP (TESCON).

In addition to his professional achievements, he enjoys a fulfilling personal life, and is happily married and blessed with three children.