Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has proposed the establishment of a committee to recommend acceptable annual rent increases in public universities across Ghana, following growing concerns over the high cost of student accommodation in tertiary institutions.
The proposed committee will advise the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, on the appropriate percentage increase that should be permitted for rent charges in public universities under the Fees and Charges Act.
The initiative is intended to regulate accommodation fee adjustments, protect students from excessive rent increases and ensure that changes in university housing costs reflect prevailing economic conditions, including Ghana’s inflation rate.
According to Haruna Iddrisu, introducing a clearly defined annual rent adjustment framework would create greater transparency and predictability in the management of accommodation fees at public universities. He believes the measure could also prevent arbitrary rent hikes that place additional financial pressure on students and their families.
Speaking in a media interview, the Education Minister stressed that the government does not support exorbitant accommodation charges and called for a committee to assess the situation before annual adjustments under the Fees and Charges Act are implemented.
“We do not support exorbitant rent prices being charged across the country. 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. We can say, for instance, take inflation as a guide, 5 to 10 percent increase annually,” he stated.
Government Considers Measures to Control University Accommodation Costs
The proposal could pave the way for a more structured system of determining annual rent increases in Ghana’s public universities, ensuring that accommodation charges remain within reasonable limits.
By using inflation as a possible benchmark, the proposed framework could help balance the financial needs of university accommodation providers with the ability of students and parents to afford housing costs.
The Education Minister’s recommendation also highlights the broader challenges associated with the rising cost of tertiary education in Ghana, where accommodation, tuition-related charges and other academic expenses can place a significant burden on households.
If adopted, the proposed committee’s recommendations could provide clearer guidelines for annual rent adjustments and strengthen oversight of accommodation charges in public tertiary institutions.
However, the suggested annual increase of between 5 and 10 per cent was presented as an example by the minister and should not be interpreted as an officially approved rent adjustment limit.
The proposal is expected to contribute to ongoing discussions about affordable university accommodation, student welfare and the implementation of the Fees and Charges Act in Ghana.
Source: newsthemegh.com