Rent Commissioner questions the increase in UG private Hostel fees

Frederick Opoku, The Acting Rent Commissioner, has condemn the sudden increase cost of private hostel accommodation in and around the University of Ghana. He emphasized that majority of the prices imposed on students are exploitative and unjustifiable.

Mr. Opoku queried, during an interview, how some private hostel operators were charging students an amount of about thousands of cedis annually. Despite concerns over overcrowding and poor living conditions as well using the university land, prices still increased for students.He spoke based on assessment conducted at the Viking Hostel.

He described Vikings as a private facility operating in partnership with the University of Ghana alumni network. He questioned the rationale behind accommodation charges exceeding GH¢10,000 for a single air-conditioned room.

Mr. Opoku stated that “The Viking Hostel is an alumni project with the university. It is private and not the property of the University of Ghana.

A one-bedroom with air conditioning costs over GH¢10,000. How?”.He described the situation as shameful and accused authorities of allowing what he termed exploitation to continue unchecked.

He further said “I am surprised that people have allowed this illegality and exploitation to continue. Those responsible should bow their heads in shame,”.

Moreover,he highlighted concerns about overcrowded hostel rooms. He revealed that some students were being housed in poorly ventilated spaces under uncomfortable conditions while paying substantial fees.

According to him, one facility had four students occupying a cramped room fitted with beds, bags . Each student reportedly paying between GH¢4,800 and GH¢7,800 annually.

“Is that not exploitation? One room that does not even meet acceptable standards is occupied by four people, and each of them is paying huge amounts. Yet we sit unconcerned while people exploit students,” he said.

He further added,“So do you want the girls to go into sex work just to raise accommodation money?” .

The Acting Rent Commissioner warned that the high accommodation costs could expose vulnerable students to dangerous coping mechanisms, including transactional relationships and other social risks.

He said,”We complain about hostel shortages, yet people build on government university land and exploit students while authorities look unconcerned. It is a shame,”.

Mr. Opoku queried why private hostel operators were being allowed to charge exorbitant fees on lands associated with a public university. while students continued to struggle with accommodation shortages with the price increment.

READ:‘Students are being exploited’ — Rent Commissioner blasts UG hostel fees.