The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), in collaboration with the Rent Control Department, on Tuesday, August 5, 2026, embarked on a joint enforcement exercise to clamp down on five private hostels facilities for charging exorbitant accommodation fees.
They also cited unsanitary conditions for students at the Koforidua Technical University.
The exercise resulted in the closure of Adehye Hostel, Hallelujah Hostel, Serwah Heights Hostel, Nhyira Hostel, and Elite Hostel.
During the enforcement exercise, some students raised concerns about the high cost of accommodation and poor conditions provided by some hostel managers.
They appealed for improved standards and better regulation of private hostels within the university community.
Cramped rooms, poor ventilation and overcrowding defined the living conditions, with four or more students sharing bunk beds in spaces that fell below approved standards.
“Last year, we paid 1800 each, upon all that part of the roof leaks. When it rains the one who sleeps here cannot sleep. The manager has asked us to pay 2800 this year,” a student lamented.
Reacting to the students concerns, Rent Control Director, Frederick Opoku said the action of the hostel managers amounts to unlawful conduct and unacceptable.
“You the manager failed to fix the problem, yet you have added 1000 cedis to the old amount, that is criminal, thievery and arm robbery in broad day light. We would close down the hostels for proper maintenance. This situation is unacceptable; you don’t take money and treat students as criminals, ” he stated.
Tourism Act, 2011 (Act 817), requires hostels classified as accommodation facilities to be licensed, inspected and operated in accordance with prescribed health, safety and accommodation standards.
The Act also empowers the Ghana Tourism Authority to regulate, monitor and take action against facilities that fail to meet the required standards.
Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2239 under the Tourism (Registration and Licensing of Tourist Accommodation Enterprise) Regulations, 2016, made under the Ghana Tourism Authority Tourism Act, 2011 (Act 817), governs the registration, licensing, inspection and operation of accommodation establishments, including hotels, motels, guest houses, hostels, lodges and similar facilities.
The Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220) also prohibits landlords from charging unreasonable rent or increasing rent arbitrarily without following the procedures prescribed under the law, while empowering the Rent Control Department to investigate complaints and enforce compliance.
The affected hostel owners have been directed to relocate all occupants by Friday and rectify the identified deficiencies before any consideration is given to reopening the facilities.
The operation was led by the Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Jones Aruna Nelson, and the Commissioner of the Rent Control Department, Frederick Opoku.
According to the authorities, the affected hostel owners have been given until Friday to relocate all students and comply with the necessary regulatory requirements before further action is taken.
The two regulatory bodies met the Koforidua Technical University Management on the way forward after the action.
By Yvonne Neequaye
