The Office of the Rent Commissioner and the Rent Control Department have issued a statement directing all private hostel owners, facility managers, operators, and stakeholders within the student accommodation sector to place a TEMPORAL HOLD on all or any intended or proposed increment in hostel accommodation fees.
On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the statement signed by the Acting Rent Commissioner and Head of the Rent Control Department, Frederick Opoku, announced the directive follows public concern concerning the hostel fees for tertiary institutions.
According to the statement, repeated hikes in accommodation charges are placing a heavy financial burden on students, parents and guardians.
Parts of the statement read, “These persistent increments have become a matter of urgent public concern due to the economic burden placed on students, parents, and guardians”.
“The situation, if not properly regulated and managed, may adversely affect access to accommodation and the general welfare of students pursuing higher education,” the statement said.
“The Office of the Rent Commissioner, together with the Rent Control Department, hereby directs all private hostel owners, facility managers, operators, and stakeholders within the student accommodation sector to place a TEMPORAL HOLD on all or any intended or proposed increment in hostel accommodation fees for the 2026/2027 academic year until further notice,” it directed.
“All stakeholders are strongly encouraged to attend and cooperate fully with the directive in the interest of students, parents, educational institutions and national development,” the statement said.
In related 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.
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?”
See the statement below:
