Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku has criticised the high cost of hostel accommodation at the University of Ghana, accusing the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) of exploiting students through what he described as exorbitant charges at the Pentagon Hostel, popularly known as “Pent.”
Speaking on Hitz FM, Mr Opoku expressed outrage over the fees being charged at the facility, which is linked to SSNIT.
“SSNIT, they should bow their heads in shame. You can never use people’s money and money to exploit,” he said.
According to him, it is unacceptable for an institution responsible for managing workers’ pension funds to also oversee accommodation arrangements that many students and parents cannot afford.
Mr Opoku said he personally visited the hostel and was shocked by both the pricing structure and the categorisation of rooms.
“You go to Pent; they have new Pent and old Pent. Look at these terminologies and semantics,” he stated.
He explained that students occupying the older blocks, where four students share a room, are charged about GH¢6,400 per semester, while rooms in the newer blocks go for around GH¢8,000.
He further noted that some single rooms with air conditioning are reportedly priced between GH¢20,000 and GH¢30,000 per semester.
“In fact, one room with air condition they are talking about twenty thousand plus or thirty thousand,” he added.
Mr Opoku questioned how the average Ghanaian student is expected to cope with such costs, warning that the situation could push vulnerable students into financial distress.
“What does the mean of this student do? Want them to go and do prostitution to come and pay?” he asked.
His comments come amid growing public concern over rising accommodation costs in tertiary institutions across the country, with many students and parents calling for urgent intervention.
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