A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) communications team in Tema Central, Sammy Darkwah, has called on government to develop a long-term policy solution to address the continuous increase in private hostel fees across the country.
His comments follow a directive issued by the Office of the Rent Commissioner and the Rent Control Department ordering all private hostel owners and operators nationwide to temporarily suspend any planned increase in hostel accommodation fees for the 2026/2027 academic year.
In a press statement dated May 19, 2026, the department explained that the decision was taken in response to growing public concern over the persistent rise in hostel fees around tertiary institutions.
According to the statement, the escalating cost of private student accommodation has become a major burden on students, parents, and guardians, with fears that unchecked increases could negatively affect students’ access to accommodation and their overall welfare.
The Rent Commissioner’s Office further directed all private hostel owners, facility managers, and operators to halt any intended fee adjustments until further notice.
The department also announced plans to engage stakeholders in the student accommodation sector to discuss sustainable, fair, and lawful measures regarding hostel pricing and standards. The engagement is expected to involve private hostel operators, student representative bodies, tertiary institution authorities, and other key stakeholders.
Reacting to the development, Sammy Adarkwah commended the Rent Control Department for what he described as a bold step toward ending arbitrary increases in hostel fees.
He noted that many students and parents are struggling to cope with the rising cost of accommodation, stressing that the situation continues to place significant financial pressure on families.
He, however, argued that beyond temporary interventions, government must implement a permanent and sustainable policy framework to regulate hostel accommodation costs in the country.
Mr. Adarkwah also lamented what he described as the lack of continuity in governance in Ghana, where successive governments often abandon projects initiated by previous administrations.
According to him, Ghana needs a clear national development plan and consistent policy direction to address long-standing challenges such as student accommodation and infrastructure development.
By: Bernard Mensah |Planbfmonline.com
Discussion about this post