The Rent Control Commission has extended its nationwide inspection of hostel facilities and rental charges to Kumasi, targeting hostels operating around the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) amid growing concerns over exorbitant accommodation fees charged to students.
Leading the exercise, Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku described the fees being charged by some hostel operators as “outrageous and ridiculous,” stressing that such charges are unacceptable and contrary to fair rental practices.
Mr. Opoku said the Commission would engage relevant stakeholders after the inspection exercise and take legal action against hostel operators found to have breached the law.
According to him, the Kumasi exercise follows similar inspections previously conducted in Accra around the University of Ghana and the University of Professional Studies, Accra, as part of efforts to restore fairness and sanity within the student accommodation sector.
During the operation, the inspection team visited Victory Tower Hostel, where the hostel manager fled upon hearing of the arrival of Rent Control officials.
Students at the facility, however, disclosed the hostel’s accommodation charges to the team. According to them, students pay GH¢20,000 for single room occupancy, GH¢14,000 each for double occupancy, GH¢10,000 each for triple occupancy, and GH¢9,000 each for quadruple occupancy.
At Liendavel Hot Hostel, the Commission also discovered that students are charged GH¢20,000 for single occupancy, GH¢13,000 each for double occupancy, and GH¢9,500 each for triple occupancy.
The inspection team further observed that several hostels visited failed to provide operational certificates or permits authorizing them to operate as student accommodation facilities.
Mr. Opoku stated that the Commission had taken note of the violations and would pursue legal action where necessary.
At the final stop, St. Theresa’s Hostel, the team raised concerns over high accommodation charges and discovered a notice at the entrance indicating that the facility had been closed down by the Ghana Tourism Authority since 2016, although it continues to operate.
The hostel manager, however, maintained that the issues had been resolved and that the facility currently has permission to operate.
Mr. Opoku said the Rent Control Commission would engage the Ghana Tourism Authority to verify whether the hostel had been granted the necessary clearance to continue operations.
He assured students and the public that the Commission remains committed to ensuring fairness in hostel pricing and preventing operators from exploiting students through unlawful and excessive charges.
Source :www.kumasimail.com
