Acting Commissioner of the Rent Control Department, Fredrick Opoku, has criticised the high cost of hostel accommodation around the University of Ghana, describing some of the charges as exploitative and unlawful.
His comments follow growing concerns over rising hostel fees in private facilities affiliated with the university.
Under the current pricing structure, students in some four-in-a-room hostels are required to pay as much as GHS10,859 per academic year, with 70% payable in the first semester and the remaining 30% in the second semester. A two-in-a-room facility without air conditioning costs GHS17,971 per person, while air-conditioned rooms go for GHS19,357 per person. Single rooms are priced at GHS38,070.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, May 7, 2026, Mr. Opoku specifically criticised Viking Hostel over what he described as excessive pricing.
“One sad aspect is that we learnt that the Viking Hostel is a private arrangement with the alumni. It is not a University of Ghana project. They were charging one room with AC GHS10,000. How? This is so shameful,” he said.
“I am surprised at those who sat down and allowed this level of exploitation to take place. They should bow their heads in shame,” he added.
Mr. Opoku further disclosed that the Rent Control Department will soon engage hostel operators across Greater Accra to address the issue.
“We will meet all of them next week, all the hostel owners in Greater Accra. I will write to them today and tomorrow. We will let them know what has gone wrong and the illegality that has been committed. Then we will know how we can review it,” he stated.
