The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has welcomed the Rent Control Department’s directive ordering private hostel operators to suspend planned fee increases for the 2026/2027 academic year, describing it as timely and a step in the right direction.
Reacting to the directive in an interview with Citi News on Wednesday, May 20, NUGS President Rashid Ibrahim said the directive came at a critical moment, noting that students had already begun receiving notices of impending fee hikes.
“On Monday, May 19, a student called me to say that their hostel managers contacted them to say that they are about to increase hostel fees, probably by next week. So this communique coming out this time is good. We welcome it,” he said.
Ibrahim confirmed that NUGS would participate in the stakeholder consultations the Rent Control Department has announced.
“It is meant to resolve all of the issues regarding hostels. The National Union of Ghana Students will also take part in the stakeholders’ engagement. At the stakeholders’ engagement, we will also use the opportunity to stress our grievances, once we petition the Rent Control to address them for us. So we welcome the decision by the Rent Control.”
The Rent Control Department, in a statement signed by acting Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku on May 19, described the fee freeze as temporary, pending consultations with key stakeholders in the student accommodation sector, including student representative bodies, on sustainable, fair, and lawful measures governing hostel pricing and standards.
