The Acting Commissioner of the Rent Control Commission, 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.
In related news, 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?”
Students of the University of Ghana have been constantly demanding urgent action against what they describe as outrageous and exploitative hostel fees.
Last year, SRC General Secretary, Sandra Owie, in a strongly-worded statement on Facebook, called out hostel operators, saying, “It is with deep concern and justified anger that I address the unbearable hostel fees being charged at Vikings and similar private hostels around the University of Ghana. The situation has reached an unacceptable level, and it is high time we called things by their proper name: exploitation”.
“How can we, in good conscience, accept over ₵10,000 for a shared room of four and as high as ₵38,000 for a single room?” she quizzed.
“Enough is enough. We refuse to be exploited, and we will resist any attempt by hostel operators to profit off the desperation of students,” she declared.
Watch the video below:
“The same parents that you are managing their pension, you are exploiting them. SSNIT should bow their heads in shame for the hostel prices at Pent.”
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) May 8, 2026
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