The Rent Control Department has begun a nationwide inspection exercise across tertiary institutions in Ghana following growing complaints over what many students describe as “exploitative” hostel charges.
The exercise comes after the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) petitioned authorities to intervene in the increasing cost of student accommodation around university campuses.
Students in several institutions say hostel operators are charging as high as GH¢10,000 and GH¢20,000 per academic year, despite poor living conditions in some facilities.
The Rent Control Department says the ongoing inspections are aimed at assessing hostel pricing structures, investigating arbitrary rent increases, and ensuring operators comply with the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220).
According to the Department, some hostel owners are allegedly charging excessive advance payments and increasing fees without regulatory approval.
The inspection exercise began in selected universities in Accra, including the University of Ghana, University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), and Wisconsin International University College, with plans to extend to other campuses nationwide.
Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku stated that “authorities would engage both students and hostel managers to determine whether the allegations are justified before sanctions are imposed.”
Several students who spoke during the exercise confirmed the high accommodation costs. Some disclosed paying between GH¢7,000 and GH¢10,000 for shared rooms, while others reported paying close to GH¢20,000 for single room hostel facilities.
Students say the rising hostel costs are now more expensive than tuition fees in some institutions. The situation, according to NUGS, is forcing some students to defer their education or struggle financially throughout the academic year.
NUGS President Rashid Ibrahim warned that weak enforcement of rent regulations and inadequate on-campus accommodation have allowed some hostel operators to exploit students. He noted that many hostels continue to increase prices yearly despite limited improvements in facilities and services.
Meanwhile, the Rent Control Department says hostel operators found violating rent regulations could face sanctions or prosecution. Authorities are also considering the introduction of clearer guidelines specifically for student accommodation to ensure fairness and transparency in pricing.
Students are calling on government, university authorities, and regulators to introduce long-term solutions, including affordable hostel projects and stricter enforcement of rent laws, to prevent accommodation costs from becoming a barrier to education.
By Agbozo Darrell Worlanyo
