The Rent Control Department of Ghana has instructed all private hostel operators nationwide to halt any planned increases in accommodation fees for the 2026/2027 academic year. In a statement released on 19 May, Acting Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku clarified that the directive is a temporary step while consultations are held with major stakeholders in the student accommodation sector.
The department announced that it will soon bring together hostel owners, facility managers, and student representative groups to discuss fair and sustainable pricing models, as well as broader standards for the sector. “The Office of the Rent Commissioner… hereby directs all private hostel owners, facility managers, operators, and stakeholders within the student accommodation sector to place a temporary hold on all or any intended or proposed increment in hostel accommodation fees for the 2026/2027 academic year until further notice,” the statement read.
The planned engagement is expected to serve as a platform for discussions on proposed fee adjustments and other concerns affecting student housing, particularly amid rising cost-of-living pressures. While no timeline has been given for the conclusion of consultations, the directive signals increased regulatory attention on hostel pricing, a longstanding concern for students in major university towns across Ghana.
Source: Winifred Lartey