Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has proposed a mechanism to guide annual increases in accommodation charges at public universities, suggesting that adjustments could be linked to inflation and fall within a range of five to 10 per cent.
He has called for a committee to assess accommodation costs and advise Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson on an appropriate annual adjustment under the Fees and Charges Act.
Speaking in a media interview, Mr Iddrisu expressed concern about the high cost of accommodation, arguing that a clear framework could help prevent excessive charges and make increases more predictable for students.
“We do not support exorbitant rent prices being charged across the country,” he said.
He proposed that a committee be established to recommend an acceptable percentage increase before the Finance Minister proceeds with the Fees and Charges Act.
“It is my view that we should constitute a committee to advise the Minister of Finance before he proceeds with the Fees and Charges Act on what percentage increase is permissible each year,” he stated.
Mr Iddrisu suggested that inflation could serve as a benchmark for determining annual adjustments, taking prevailing economic conditions into account.
“We can say, for instance, take inflation as a guide, 5 to 10 per cent increase annually,” he added.
The proposed committee would be expected to assess accommodation costs and recommend a suitable benchmark to guide annual increases, with the aim of curbing arbitrary or disproportionate charges.
However, the proposed five to 10 per cent range is only a suggestion by the Education Minister and has not been approved as a binding limit on accommodation increases.
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