The Acting Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, has strongly criticised the rising cost of private hostel accommodation in and around the University of Ghana, describing some of the charges imposed on students as exploitative and unjustifiable.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily programme, Mr Opoku questioned how some private hostel operators on university lands were charging students thousands of cedis annually despite concerns over overcrowding and poor living conditions.
He singled out the Viking Hostel, describing it as a private facility operating in partnership with the University of Ghana alumni network, and questioned the rationale behind accommodation charges exceeding GH¢10,000 for a single air-conditioned room.
“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 asked.
He described the situation as shameful and accused authorities of allowing what he termed exploitation to continue unchecked.
“I am surprised that people have allowed this illegality and exploitation to continue. Those responsible should bow their heads in shame after the survey exposed these conditions,” he stated.
Mr Opoku also raised concerns about overcrowded hostel rooms, revealing 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 bunk beds, with 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.
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.
“So do you want the girls to go into sex work just to raise accommodation money?” he asked.
Mr Opoku questioned 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.
“You complain about hostel shortages, yet people build on government university land and exploit students while authorities look unconcerned. It is a shame,” he added.
His remarks add to growing public debate over the cost of tertiary education and accommodation pressures facing students across Ghana’s major universities, particularly in Accra.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh