The National Union of Ghana Students has welcomed the Rent Control Department’s directive ordering hostels to suspend any planned fee increases for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The directive, issued in collaboration with the Office of the Rent Commissioner, instructs hostel owners to halt proposed increases pending stakeholder consultations.

Speaking to Citi News on Wednesday, May 20, NUGS President Rashid Ibrahim ESQ described the move as timely.

“That is in the right direction because, on Monday, May 19, a student called me to say that their hostel managers contacted them to say that they are about to increase hostel fees,” he said.

He added that NUGS would participate in the stakeholder engagement and present concerns raised by students regarding hostel accommodation.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, May 19, and signed by Acting Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku, the directive was described as temporary pending consultations on hostel pricing and standards.

The Rent Control Department said it would soon engage student groups and other stakeholders in the hostel accommodation sector to discuss fair and lawful measures governing hostel fees.