Frederick Opoku, the acting Rent Control Commissioner, has fumed at the growing dollarisation within the property sector.
The Rent Control Commissioner argued that Ghana is becoming a lawless country.
According to Frederick Opoku, landlords and property owners continue to advertise and charge rents in US dollars despite the Bank of Ghana issuing directives against pricing goods and services in foreign currencies without approval.
The Rent Control Commissioner disclosed that they are engaging the Bank of Ghana’s Financial Markets Department to help curb the increasing dollarisation within the property sector.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Super Morning Show, Mr Opoku stated, “The argument of investment and economic jargon, free market, and so the laws should be put aside. Ghana is a country of laws, and we cannot continue to operate in illegality. We think that when we are arguing, we should put aside the law and talk about the economic and investment interest (only ?).”
“The reason why I said the law is not working in Ghana, people are still selling in US dollars, do we spend dollars in Ghana? Therefore, that is where the lawlessness comes in. Ghana is becoming a lawless country; you sell in dollars, and nobody cares.”
Frederick Opoku questioned, “Do we spend dollars in Ghana? No. Therefore, that’s where the lawlessness comes”.
“We are bold to come to television and say one million dollars, three million dollars and go with impunity,” he lamented.
In other news, Frederick Opoku has defended the ongoing clampdown on unlawful hostel fee increases.
According to the Rent Control Boss, the move is to ensure fairness and protect students and parents, not discouraging private investment.
He disclosed that the move forms part of plans to address the rising cost of student accommodation and ease the financial burden on students and their parents.
The Rent Control Boss stressed that the government is determined to see this problem resolved, but not by using any Rambo-style or gorilla means.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Acting Rent Commissioner Fredrick Opoku stated, “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”.
“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 said.
Also, Frederick Opoku has criticised SSNIT for the excessive fees they are charging for the Pentagon Hostel on the University of Ghana campus.
According to the Rent Commissioner, SSNIT must bow its head in shame for exploiting parents who pension they manage.
Frederick Opoku quizzed SSNIT on whether they want students to engage in prostitution before they can afford their hostel fees.
Speaking on Hitz FM, Frederick Opoku fumed, “If you go to Pent hostel, called Ghana Hostels Limited, that is the name, Pent for SSNIT. You SSNIT that you are managing people’s pension rights, and the same parent you manage their pension, you are exploiting them. What kind of behaviour is that?
SSNIT should bow its head in shame; you can never use people’s money and manage and still exploit them. I went there, I didn’t bring the sheet, and I don’t want to be liable for any legal issues. I just want to speak to the issues”.
He added, “You go to Pent, they say there are new Pent and old Pent. Look at this terminology and semantics. This one is a new block, and the old block has 4 students in one room; they will take you like GHS6000 for the old one.
The new one is GHS8000 per semester, in fact, one room with air conditioning, they are talking about GHS20,000 plus or GHS30,000. What is the meaning of this? Do you want them to do prostitution to come and pay?”