The Rent Control Department is poised to escalate its enforcement measures against hostel operators, with Acting Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku signaling a decisive shift from cautious warnings to immediate action. Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Tuesday, August 18th, Mr. Opoku stated unequivocally: ‘Now, I want to let them understand that we are not going to waste time. It’s now action, no talking. And all the applications (from students) that have come before rent control, beginning Monday, they will see it live and collect.’
Mr. Opoku emphasized the department’s determination to expose exploitative practices perpetrated against tenants, highlighting the specific targeting of students reporting alleged unlawful behavior by hostel operators. He asserted that the Rent Control Department will immediately begin enforcing its regulations, stating that all applications received – particularly those from students – will be reviewed and addressed without the need for individual student consultations.
The department’s strategy includes working closely with university authorities to establish dedicated student desks across all tertiary institutions. This initiative, Mr. Opoku explained, will facilitate the direct receipt of complaints, summoning of hostel operators, and a streamlined process for addressing cases, thereby reducing the burden on students.
As part of this intensified enforcement, the Rent Control Department has initiated discussions with deans of students to establish a mechanism for students to formally report unlawful conduct by hostel operators directly on campus. This new process will allow the department to receive complaints, conduct interviews with hostel operators, and address situations without requiring students to navigate the complex and often lengthy student complaint process alone. The department has outlined a plan to establish a student desk on campus and anticipates a public address later in the week, where they will address the public regarding the department’s enforcement plans and the actions they will take.
Mr. Opoku stressed that this shift from passive warnings to active enforcement is a significant step, reflecting a renewed commitment to protecting tenant rights and ensuring fair treatment within the student community. He further stated that the department intends to set up a student desk across the tertiary institutions and that they will be actively monitoring campus environments for unlawful hostel operator activities. The Department’s comments suggest a deliberate focus on addressing issues of exploitation and illegal practices within the student population, particularly in relation to alleged charges and other irregularities.
The planned measures come amidst growing public concern regarding the treatment of students and tenants by some hostel operators, with allegations of unfair charges and other questionable practices frequently surfacing. Mr. Opoku’s clear statement underscores the Rent Control Department’s intention to move beyond simply issuing warnings and proactively take direct action on cases brought before it, signaling a more assertive and decisive approach to managing this sensitive issue. The proposed campus-based student desks are also anticipated to provide students with a more accessible channel to report violations and seek intervention, potentially strengthening the department’s ability to address these concerns effectively.”
“We are setting up a student desk across the tertiary institutions and that they should report these unlawful hostel operators.”
“We are going to set a desk on campus and you will see, we will sit down, call them and see the cases on campuses.”
“We are in Sunyani today, I should be in Accra, God willing, tomorrow or Friday. When I get to Accra, I’m going to have a press conference [on Monday] and address Ghanaians for them to know when action is taken and when we are sitting on their cases.”
“I am in Sunyani today, I should be in Accra, God willing, tomorrow or Friday. When I get to Accra, I’m going to have a press conference [on Monday] and address Ghanaians for them to know when action is taken and when we are sitting on their cases.”
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Source: MyJoyOnline
