Rent control 'chases' hostels charging outrageous fees

Tertiary students across Ghana have long complained about the high fees charged by hostel operators in and around campuses.

With charges ranging from GH¢4,500 for shared rooms to about GH¢10,000 per semester, many students say they feel pressured at the start of every academic year.

Parents and guardians struggle to meet these costs, while self‑sponsored students are forced to work harder to afford accommodation.

Several students have petitioned the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and the National Tenants Union of Ghana (NATUG), alleging exploitation by hostel operators.

To help sanitise the system, the Acting Commissioner of the Rent Control Department, Frederick Opoku, has begun an inspection exercise in Accra to check the licensing and operational practices of hostels.

He expressed shock after students disclosed the amounts they pay per semester, noting that electricity costs are often excluded from the fees.

Opoku stated that students paying hostel fees must be issued rent cards, and landlords cannot increase rent without approval from the Rent Control Department.

He questioned how hostel operators determine their semesterly increments, describing some charges as “outrageous.”

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"It's outrageous, you remember we went to supreme first hostel right and they are taking GH¢4,800 four in a room about I mean can you help me to measure the space you were there we really continue to be our skills here with about 10 feet by 4 feet let me be magnanimous no say 10 by 4 feet 4 in a room they are taking GH¢4,800 and each of the student pay electricity bill right of GH¢200 so for in a room paying GH¢800 and for GH¢4,800 by 4 is how much? Your guesses may be good as mine let's do the calculation at home," Frederick Opoku said.

"This means that they are overpricing and we believe that we need to engage them we are here to see things to ourselves and to call them for a meeting to engage and I believe that after the engagement those who have outrageously increase their hostel pay will reverse it they will reverse it because over the years they believe that the law is not working we will look at when they were established and the increments done," he added.

He added that Rent Control will engage hostel owners in a stakeholders’ meeting to ensure fair pricing and prevent exploitation.

SA

LIVE | The hostels are overpricing, and we believe we must engage them and call them to order. I believe that after the engagement, those who have outrageously increased their hostel fees will reverse it — Acting Commissioner of the Rent Control Department, Frederick Opoku pic.twitter.com/MRt3w6nTUD

— The1957News (@The1957News) May 6, 2026