The Chairperson of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Abena Osei-Asare, has commended the Acting Rent Control Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, for his efforts to regulate private accommodation facilities, particularly hostels serving students. During a PAC hearing, Madam Osei-Asare welcomed Mr Opoku and acknowledged his recent activities in the rent sector, describing him as an "action man". This remark comes amid Mr Opoku's interventions to enforce rent regulations and scrutinise charges at private hostels.
In recent months, the Acting Rent Commissioner has stepped up inspections of private hostels and warned operators against practices he considers contrary to Ghana's rent laws. He has maintained that private hostels are not exempt from rent-control regulations, insisting that the Rent Control Department has jurisdiction over private premises across the country, except government-owned properties. This move aims to address concerns over rising accommodation fees and complaints from students.
Mr Opoku has been particularly vocal about hostel charges, following concerns over rising accommodation fees and complaints from students. In May, the Rent Control Department directed private hostel owners and operators to suspend proposed increases in fees for the 2026/2027 academic year pending consultations with stakeholders. He subsequently embarked on inspections of some student accommodation facilities, where he raised concerns about overcrowding, poor ventilation, and the conditions in which some students were being housed.
During one such inspection, Mr Opoku described some facilities as "cubicles, not hostels", after observing rooms accommodating several students in what he considered inadequate conditions. The Acting Commissioner has also disclosed that his office had taken action against some operators it considered to be operating illegally, including the closure of five hostels in Koforidua and the identification of about 25 allegedly illegal hostels in Sunyani.
Mr Opoku's approach has, however, attracted pushback from some hostel operators. Ghana Hostels Limited, for instance, previously criticised comments made by Mr Opoku concerning charges at the Pentagon Hostel, arguing that his remarks were based on inadequate due diligence and had created a misleading impression about the facility. Despite the pushback, Mr Opoku has continued to insist that hostel operators must comply with the law and that accommodation charges should be subject to appropriate regulatory scrutiny.
The Rent Control Department's efforts to regulate private hostels have resulted in various reactions from stakeholders. While some have welcomed the move, others have expressed concerns about the potential impact on the sector. The Department's directive to hostel owners and operators to issue rent cards has also been met with mixed reactions. As the regulatory body, the Rent Control Department aims to ensure that private hostels operate within the bounds of the law and provide adequate services to students.
The issue of hostel regulation has significant implications for students and the education sector as a whole. With many students relying on private hostels for accommodation, the Rent Control Department's efforts aim to ensure that these facilities provide safe and affordable living conditions. As the PAC continues its scrutiny of public institutions, the Committee's Chair, Abena Osei-Asare, has demonstrated her support for Mr Opoku's efforts to enforce rent regulations and protect the interests of students.
Key points
- Abena Osei-Asare praises Frederick Opoku for enforcing rent regulations.
- Rent Control Department directs private hostel owners to suspend proposed fee increments.
- Mr Opoku's efforts aim to address concerns over rising accommodation fees and complaints from students.
