6 years ago, a Rent Commisioner at Kumasi asked my team and I for money “bribe” before they stepped in to address an issue that is dear and disturbing to any parent and student. Hostel rents near Legon, KNUST, UCC, UG etc. have been rising faster than inflation and student incomes. It is refreshing to see the country’s Rent Commissioner doing this by himself.
The problem is structural, high demand, low supply, weak enforcement of the Rent Act, and no price transparency. That's the main reason why we looked at the Rent Control. A one-off price cap won’t fix it even if this approach works. You need a system that tackles supply, data, enforcement, and tenant protection together.
Here are my 5 cents on how the problem can be solved “once and for all” rather than him moving around and being disrespected.
1. Gather data on Hostel rents/Fix the transparency problem.
You can’t regulate what you don’t measure. Right now landlords raise prices in the dark.
Until 2017, university fees were always on the rise each year until student leaders called on the Parliament of Ghana, which got involved and decided on the fees for various institutions. Mind you, they faced hesitation from the university leadership at first but Parliament won.
I. Mandate digital registration of all student hostels within 2km of public tertiary institutions via Ghana Rent Control Department’s portal. Include location, room type, capacity, facilities, price, and lease terms.
ii. Launch a public “Student Hostel Price Dashboard”. Real-time, location-tagged prices so students can compare.
iii. Annual price increase reporting. Hostels must submit proposed increases 90 days before the academic year. Anything above CPI + 5% triggers automatic review as done for the School Fees.
This will create market pressure and evidence for enforcement.
2. Students are young, dispersed, and often uninformed.
i. University Student Housing Offices: Each public university must have an office that vets and accredits hostels, handles complaints, and publishes an approved list. No accreditation, then no university recommendation.
ii. Student Rent Mediation Units: Run by SRC + Rent Control.
iii. Financial literacy module: Compulsory for Level 100s during orientation. Covers leases, rights, scams. “I saw one video where a lady was justifying a 20k GHS rent because of AC and some frivolous excuses”.
THE WAY FORWARD
1. Increase Supply Through Targeted Incentives
Prices drop when supply catches up with demand.
2. Public-Private Partnership Hostels: Government provides land on university perimeters, tax holidays, and fast-track permits. Private developers build/manage under 25-year agreements with capped rents.
3. Convert underused public buildings: Turn old staff bungalows, Govt office spaces, GNPC, SSNIT properties into affordable student hostels.
4. Implement Tax relief for accredited hostels: 15% corporate tax reduction for hostels that keep rents more than 120% of the district median and meet safety standards. This should be a PRIORITY
5. Encourage purpose-built student accommodation: Amend building codes to allow high-density, low-cost near campuses. Speak with State Housing.
6. Strengthen and Enforce the Rent Act, 1963 Act 220. The law exists but is barely enforced through your taskforce.
7. Set up Student Rent Tribunals in Accra, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Tamale. Fast-track cases within 14 days. Staff with lawyers and student representatives.
8. Define “exorbitant” legally: Cap annual increases at CPI + 5% unless landlord invests ≥ 30% of annual rent in upgrades. Anything above requires Rent Control approval.
9. Sanctions with teeth. Fines of 10,000-50,000 GHS + suspension of hostel license for illegal evictions, unregistered hostels, or increases without notice.
#reducehostelprices #rentcontrol
"The price was paid, but the man's son was later found dead..."
Alvin explores the odds of being a kidnapped victim at APA 1.0 | Watch full video here 👇
IG:
https://t.co/3rLpEQplks
TikTok:
https://t.co/WhrGgzNf1G
YouTube:
https://t.co/o0tS90gGVy
FB:
https://t.co/iUlgYbK2Fq
Ghana needs to start researching architectural materials that can provide natural ventilation for housing projects. The solution is a low-tech, cost-effective use of clay or earth tubes, which are sustainable, zero-energy, passive geothermal solar cooling systems. Classrooms must be built from clay, which is a natural temperature regulator, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night.
Educational structures in Ghana need a new shift in architectural designs that help address issues of climate change.
The attached images are of the Class Rouge project in Niger, which utilizes SEB (Stabilised Earth Blocks), a bioclimatic material made from locally sourced laterite-rich soil stabilized with 6–7% cement.
This offers excellent thermal insulation, reducing classroom temperatures by 5–6 degrees compared to traditional cement buildings.
We need thinkers who can replicate this innovation to provide an environment that is not only good for learning but also conducive for residential apartments.
As the weekend slows things down, here’s a poem worth sitting with 📖
Okialey’s “Kidnapped” starts with a chilling idea; what if someone took your life and lived it better than you ever did?
Read the full poem here:
https://t.co/8TVpkUKiri
#IANJAP#WeekendReading
A poem that hits close to home: 'I Hate It' by Okialey is all about embracing the pain of moving on.
Read, share your thoughts, and subscribe to our website for more.
And remember, this is not just poetry! 📣
https://t.co/KIcM979IMT
It is for you that we write... 🫠❤️
Coming back strong with a new video post out on all our Socials 🥳 Watch the full video here: 👇
Instagram:
https://t.co/xFvLqBpLw3
TikTok:
https://t.co/glnHesptIb
YouTube:
https://t.co/LKkSdPgOwL
Facebook:
https://t.co/yXyEzUVHjV
What is life without love? 🫠
Happy Valentine's Day from IANJAP 🤭❣️
Enjoy this well curated Valentine piece just for you ❤️🤗
Full video 👇
Instagram:
https://t.co/8Lf8xd26zo
TikTok:
https://t.co/nbsIhwM8sA
Facebook:
https://t.co/DUFiWazVqY
YouTube:
https://t.co/QAug2TMJfv
Untitled Unmastered 🪔
New 📫 is out now 🤗
Watch the full video, engage, and share here 👇
Instagram:
https://t.co/R8VlFp57OY
TikTok:
https://t.co/HFE8KKZYeH
YouTube:
https://t.co/xoHprio8Ay
Facebook:
https://t.co/V55NTaaiNB
“Beef or chicken” woke me up from my slumber and I spent my time on the flight eating lol. When the pilot announced “cabin crew please prepare for landing”, that’s when I knew i didn’t have much time to draw😅. I’m glad she loved the sketch though.
Shall we throw it back to that 19th December moment at the Accra Sports Stadium, when you lit up Accra, and the whole world with all kinds of beauty and glory?
December 21st was more than a night. It was a meeting of souls, energy and purpose. Watching our vision come alive reminded me why art will never fail us. The love was the loudest.
To you who believed, contributed and stood firm with the dream, this moment is yours. This is history, right before your eyes! and it's only the beginning. I am deeply grateful to everyone who rocked with us from the on set.
I will see you again on December 21st, 2026.
🎥: @og_farouk@1tedbaker@JustKayArthur
#IANJAP | Have you had something to swallow this festive season? 🙇♂️👏
Well, enjoy this excerpt from the poem 👇
🎙From: Swallow
By: Abe_Kharis (@ThatGuyKharis)
#IANJAP
And this is not just poetry !¡
●●●●
Wouldn't have been the last day of the year if it wasn't stressful. But I'll choose today over 31st December 2024. I should make a media thread post about this year.
I have such a huge respect for fiction authors man what do you mean you thought of and created the entire world and lore of fantasies like harry potter/ GOT/ LOTR by yourself that's crazy
🎄This December, we step into one of the biggest creative moments in IANJAP's history 🎄✨️
🎨 ONCE UPON A TIME - ACCRA EDITION
In partnership with MICHAEL EOK himself ! - For a special creative experience happening Friday, December 19th, in the heart of Accra.
Join us🎙👌🕺