'Stop this over exploitation' – UG students demand action against astronomical hostel fees

Students of the University of Ghana are demanding urgent action against what they describe as outrageous and exploitative hostel fees charged by private facilities around the campus.

In a strongly-worded statement on Facebook, the SRC General Secretary, Sandra Owie, called out hostel operators, accusing them of deliberately milking students under the guise of accommodation.

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“It is with deep concern and justified anger that I address the unbearable hostel fees being charged at Vikings and similar private hostels around the University of Ghana. The situation has reached an unacceptable level, and it is high time we called things by their proper name: exploitation,” she wrote.

According to her, students are being billed as high as ₵10,000 for a shared room of four and a jaw-dropping ₵38,000 for a single room, figures she described as “financially draining and mentally exhausting.”

Owie slammed the consistent hikes at Vikings, Pent, and other hostels, stressing that the lack of affordable alternatives has created a monopoly that preys on students.

“How can we, in good conscience, accept over ₵10,000 for a shared room of four and as high as ₵38,000 for a single room?” she quizzed.

She urged hostel operators to immediately review their fees downward, warning that students would no longer sit idle while being subjected to such exploitation.

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“Enough is enough. We refuse to be exploited, and we will resist any attempt by hostel operators to profit off the desperation of students,” she declared.