The Rent Control Department has petitioned the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, to take legal action against the University of Ghana Enterprises Limited (UGEL) over alleged violations of rent regulations in its recent accommodation fee increases.
Speaking to Citi News on Wednesday, November 11, Acting Rent Control Commissioner Frederick Opoku accused UGEL management of disregarding the authority of the Rent Control Department. He cited a fresh communication reportedly sent by UGEL’s Chief Executive Officer to the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) concerning accommodation charges ahead of students’ return to campus on November 16.
Mr Opoku said the communication suggested that UGEL had no intention of complying with the Commission’s directives. “This morning I have received information from GRASAG, who are about to resume on November 16. They have received a communication this morning from the CEO that they will never respect Rent Control,” he stated. He added that the Department had formally petitioned the Attorney-General, outlining the alleged breaches of the law and requesting immediate legal intervention to halt what it considers unlawful practices by UGEL on the University of Ghana campus at Legon.
According to Mr Opoku, the petition was submitted on Tuesday, November 10, following UGEL’s alleged failure to comply with the Commission’s directive to suspend accommodation fee increases that had not undergone the required assessment. The development follows a November 2 directive issued by the Rent Control Department, instructing UGEL and private hostel operators to halt unassessed increases in accommodation charges, revert to previous rates and refund students any excess payments already collected.
The operators were given until November 17, 2026, to comply with the directive, with the Commission warning that failure to do so could result in legal action. It also cautioned hostel operators against intimidating or victimising students who seek refunds or challenge the increased charges.
The directive was issued against the backdrop of protests by the Concerned Students of the University of Ghana over higher accommodation fees for the 2026/2027 academic year. The students staged a demonstration to express their dissatisfaction with the revised charges, calling for a review of the fees and greater accountability from UGEL management.
The Rent Control Department has maintained that all accommodation providers are required to comply with the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220), which outlines the legal procedures that must be followed before rental charges can be increased.
