The Rent Control (RC) Department has explained that its current crackdown on illegal hostel fee hikes is meant to protect students and ensure fairness, not to scare away private investors in student housing.
Acting Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, said the initiative, which began on Wednesday, May 6, is part of a wider plan to tackle the rising cost of student accommodation and reduce the financial strain on families.
He stressed that the department is handling the matter through dialogue and careful review, not by imposing rules without consultation.
“Students across the country are suffering, parents across the country are suffering, and the government is determined to see this problem resolved, but not using any Rambo-style or gorilla means. We are trying to do it systematically and through true engagement,” he explained.
Mr. Opoku noted that the assessment will continue nationwide until the end of the year, after which the department will strengthen its monitoring of hostel prices.
He encouraged hostel owners to seek guidance from Rent Control before raising fees to avoid unfair charges.
“We shouldn’t see this as attacking anybody’s business. This is about building a better Ghana for all of us. Landlords, property owners, tenants and students will all benefit if this is done well,” he added.
His remarks followed surprise inspections at hostels near the University of Professional Studies, Accra, and the University of Ghana, where officials investigated reports of unlawful price increases.
