Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has proposed a framework to regulate annual increases in accommodation charges at public universities, suggesting that adjustments should be guided by inflation and fall within a range of five to 10 per cent. He has called for the establishment of a committee to assess accommodation costs and advise Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson on the permissible annual increases under the Fees and Charges Act.
Speaking in a media interview, Mr Iddrisu expressed concern over the high cost of accommodation and noted that introducing a clear adjustment mechanism could make rent increases more predictable and affordable for students. “We do not support exorbitant rent prices being charged across the country,” he said.
He proposed that a committee be constituted to recommend an acceptable rate of increase before the Finance Minister proceeds with the Fees and Charges Act. “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,” he stated.
The Education Minister further suggested that prevailing economic conditions, particularly the inflation rate, should serve as a guide in determining annual adjustments. “We can say, for instance, take inflation as a guide, 5 to 10 per cent increase annually,” he added.
The proposed committee would be responsible for examining accommodation costs and recommending an appropriate benchmark for annual increases to prevent arbitrary or excessive hikes in rent at public universities. However, the proposed five to 10 per cent range remains a recommendation by the minister and has not yet been approved as an official cap on accommodation charges.
