Management of Ghana Hostels Limited (GHL) has demanded an immediate and unqualified apology from Acting Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku following comments he made regarding accommodation charges at the Pentagon Hostel on the campus of the University of Ghana.
The controversy follows recent remarks by the Acting Rent Commissioner during media interviews, where he criticised rising hostel accommodation fees around tertiary institutions and described some charges at the SSNIT-affiliated Pentagon Hostel as excessive and exploitative.
During one of the interviews, Mr. Opoku reportedly questioned how students were being charged thousands of cedis annually for accommodation and suggested that authorities should be ashamed for allowing such pricing structures to continue.
In a media release issued on May 13, 2026, Ghana Hostels Limited rejected the claims and accused the Acting Rent Commissioner of making misleading comments without proper due diligence.
The company clarified that although the Pentagon Hostel is an investment owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), the facility’s day-to-day operations, tenancy arrangements, and accommodation pricing are independently managed by Ghana Hostels Limited.
According to GHL, the impression created by the Commissioner’s comments wrongly suggested that the institution was exploiting students and disregarding their welfare.
Management insisted that the standard accommodation rates at the hostel are comparatively affordable within the University of Ghana enclave when measured against prevailing prices charged by many private hostels around the area.
The company provided a breakdown of its accommodation fees, stating that a standard four-in-one room at the Old Pentagon costs GH¢7,392 per academic year, while the same arrangement at the New Pentagon costs GH¢8,876 annually per student.
According to GHL, the amounts translate to approximately GH¢821.33 and GH¢986.22 monthly, respectively, inclusive of water, electricity quota, and GH¢100 JCR dues.
GHL also rejected claims regarding an alleged GH¢28,000 accommodation charge discussed during the programme, explaining that no such amount exists within its standard pricing structure.
The company acknowledged that a limited number of premium rooms fitted with additional amenities such as air conditioners and queen-size beds exist within the facility, but stressed that such rooms account for less than five percent of total hostel rooms and are offered strictly as optional accommodation choices.
“The standard room type of four-in-one constitutes more than 65% of the total rooms of the hostel and are priced comparatively lower,” portions of the statement noted.
The management further accused the Acting Rent Commissioner of presenting inaccurate information about the hostel’s pricing structure, including suggestions that charges were calculated per semester instead of per academic year.
“Accordingly, management of GHL expects an immediate and unqualified apology from the Acting Rent Commissioner for the unfortunate remarks made during the programme,” the statement added.
