Mr Frederick Opoku, the Commissioner for the Rent Control Department, has firmly dismissed the demands of Ghana Hostels Limited (GHL) management, asserting that he owes the institution no apology.
The confrontation follows a strong rebuttal from GHL management regarding recent comments the acting rent commissioner made concerning the cost of accommodation at the Pentagon Hostel.
During a recent interview, Mr Opoku made assertions about the pricing structures at the University of Ghana facility that GHL has described as inaccurate and based on insufficient due diligence.
In a media release dated May 13, 2026, GHL clarified that although the hostel is a SSNIT investment, all day-to-day operations and pricing decisions are handled independently by the company. Management expressed deep concern that the Commissioner’s remarks created a false impression that the institution is “insensitive to the welfare of students and young people”.
Responding to the calls for a retraction, the Rent Commissioner stood his ground, stating that he will not offer any apology because the hostels are charging exorbitant prices. He further described the defensive position taken by Ghana Hostels as laughable.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he argued that the management of the hostels acted as though they operated above the law. He noted, “Ghana is a country of law, and the fact that the laws had not been enforced over the years does not mean there is no law. Ghanaian hostels should understand that they are not out of our books. They are operating and must understand that their charges and fees will be under the regulations of the Rent Control Department. Inasmuch as you have invested in these projects, you cannot determine charges without any assessment from the Rent Control Department. They are not operating in a vacuum. They will be regulated today, tomorrow, and forever. They cannot operate without any regulation.”
Mr Frederick Opoku maintained that these hostels are extorting students and possess no justification for the fees they demand.
He emphasised that management is merely attempting to justify their excessive charges while the Rent Control Department has been “awakened” and will not relent in its efforts to ensure sanity in the sector.
The Commissioner concluded by stating that President John Dramani Mahama has demonstrated a commitment to protecting Ghanaians and enforcing rent laws. He affirmed that he remains dedicated to delivering on the President’s “reset agenda”.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
