The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has petitioned the Rent Control Department and the Ministry of Works and Housing over what it describes as widespread and unlawful increases in hostel rents across tertiary institutions.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday (24 April), NUGS president Rashid Ibrahim said the union submitted its petition with national executives and several Students’ Representative Council (SRC) leaders, and is awaiting an official response.
“The situation is very serious… there is no university, training college or nursing institution in Ghana that has not received complaints,” he said.
According to Ibrahim, the hikes—particularly in private hostels—have become “systemic”, driven by weak enforcement of rent laws and inadequate accommodation supply.
He cited the Rent Act of 1963, which requires regulatory approval before rent increases, arguing that landlords are routinely ignoring the law without consequence.
“The law is clear, but enforcement is the problem,” he said, adding that Ghana lacks a comprehensive database of private hostels—another major regulatory gap.
NUGS is demanding an immediate nationwide audit of hostel pricing, strict enforcement of rent regulations, and sanctions against landlords who violate the law. It also wants all hostels compulsorily registered under a centralised system to standardise pricing.
The union said it would collaborate with regulators to identify hostel facilities across campuses using its nationwide student network.
The Rent Control Department has indicated it will respond to the petition by Monday, while the ministry is expected to schedule a follow-up engagement.
If authorities fail to act, Ibrahim warned that NUGS could escalate the matter, including petitioning the presidency and organising peaceful demonstrations.
“Demonstration is a last resort, but we are prepared if nothing changes,” he said.
Source: asaaseradio.com
