The President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Rashid Ibrahim, has strongly condemned the rising cost of university accommodation in Ghana, describing the situation as systemic, exploitative, and unsustainable for students.
Speaking in an interview on the Asaase Breakfast Show, he revealed that the union has received widespread complaints from students across nearly all tertiary institutions in the country over sharp increases in hostel fees, particularly in private accommodations around campuses.
According to him, the hikes have become so widespread that no university, training college, or nursing institution is unaffected.
“The situation is very serious… there is no university, training college or nursing institution in Ghana that has not received complaints,” he stated.
The NUGS president explained that the increases are largely driven by weak enforcement of existing rent laws and the growing shortage of on-campus accommodation, which leaves students with limited and expensive alternatives in private hostels. He added that many landlords are allegedly flouting the Rent Act by imposing arbitrary increases without proper regulation or approval.
He also warned that the situation is forcing some students into severe financial distress, with some reportedly paying as much as GH¢7,000 for shared rooms under poor conditions, a development he said is threatening access to higher education for many young people.
Rashid Ibrahim further disclosed that NUGS has formally petitioned relevant authorities, including the Rent Control Department and the Ministry of Works and Housing, calling for urgent intervention. The petition demands strict enforcement of rent laws, regulation of hostel pricing, and sanctions for operators who exploit students.
“We are not just complaining—we are demanding action. Students are being pushed beyond their limits,” he emphasized.
Following the petition, government agencies have reportedly begun steps toward investigations and compliance checks on hostel operators in major university towns, signaling possible regulatory action in the coming days.
