The Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) has thrown its full support behind the recent intervention by the Rent Control Department aimed at addressing the escalating cost of hostel accommodation within tertiary institutions across the country, warning that the continuous hikes in rent prices are pushing many students into severe financial distress.
In a strongly-worded copied to Purefmonlinegh.com, and signed by its National President, Jimmy Mawusi Adangbe, the Association described the current accommodation situation on university campuses as exploitative and unbearable for students, particularly graduate students.
According to GRASAG, accommodation expenses have over the years become “one of the most burdensome and pivotal expenses confronting students,” stressing that the persistent increase in hostel fees continues to negatively affect the welfare and academic progress of students nationwide.
“The continuous rise in hostel fees and accommodation costs has become a major source of frustration and hardship for students pursuing higher education,” the statement said, adding that the worsening situation has largely been ignored despite its devastating impact on students’ academic lives and general wellbeing.
GRASAG further lamented that many students are now compelled to commit substantial portions of their finances to rent payments while enduring poor living conditions in return.
“GRASAG National notes with deep concern that the exorbitant cost of hostel accommodation has become the greatest headache for many graduate students, especially at a time when students are already struggling with high tuition fees, expensive research obligations, transportation costs and the increasing cost of living in Ghana,” the Association stated.
“In many cases, students are compelled to spend huge portions of their financial resources on accommodation without receiving decent living conditions in return,” it added.
The Association also commended the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) for bringing national attention to the issue and applauded the Rent Control Department for responding swiftly to growing public concerns over the rising accommodation charges in university communities.
“GRASAG National highly applauds the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) for taking this bold and groundbreaking initiative to highlight the exploitation students continue to face regarding accommodation and rent,” the statement noted.
The Association maintained that the issue of hostel price hikes has persisted for years and can no longer be tolerated.
“This is a major burden that has affected students for many years and must not be ignored any longer,” GRASAG stressed.
While assuring the Rent Control Department of its support and readiness to collaborate, GRASAG called on the Ministry of Education to immediately convene a high-level stakeholder meeting involving the Rent Control Department, university authorities, hostel owners, student leadership and consumer protection institutions to find lasting solutions to the accommodation crisis.
The Association specifically urged stakeholders to implement “practical, transparent and enforceable measures” that would protect students from exploitation and financial abuse within university communities.
“The time has come for decisive action. Safe, decent, and affordable accommodation is not a luxury but a necessity for academic excellence,” GRASAG declared.
GRASAG further reaffirmed its commitment to continuously advocate for improved welfare conditions for graduate students across the country until meaningful reforms are achieved.
“GRASAG National remains committed to advocating for the welfare, dignity, and academic success of graduate students across Ghana until meaningful and lasting reforms are achieved,” the statement concluded.
The statement comes amid growing nationwide concerns over sharp increases in hostel accommodation fees across major tertiary institutions in Ghana, with many students and parents calling for stricter regulation of private hostel operators and greater government intervention to make accommodation more affordable.
Source: Purefmonlinegh.com || Evans Osei-Bonsu || 2026
