He asked us to pay for his flight after we invited him to Kumasi for talks – Hostel owners on Rent Commissioner

Bishop Dr Akwasi Owusu, chairman of the Hostel Owners Association, has refuted allegations made by Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku regarding the state of certain private student hostels. Opoku had described the conditions in some private student accommodation facilities as "appalling" and "shocking" following inspections prompted by a petition from the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS).

Opoku claimed the inspections uncovered overcrowded rooms, poor ventilation and facilities that did not meet basic hostel standards. However, Bishop Owusu, speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, stated that Opoku was engaging in a campaign against hostel owners due to high accommodation fees. He claimed he personally contacted Opoku after hearing his claims, informing him of the existence of a hostel owners association established in 2000.

Bishop Owusu was surprised when Opoku said there was no such association and invited Opoku and his team to Kumasi for a meeting. When Opoku informed Owusu he could not afford the trip due to lack of budget, Owusu questioned the arrangement, pointing out that Opoku was employed by the government and should have an official budget for such engagements.

After their disagreement, Opoku proceeded to inspect hostels without engaging the association, Bishop Owusu alleged. He particularly rejected Opoku's description of students being packed "like sardines," calling it unfair and untrue. Bishop Owusu accused Opoku of exaggerating claims to garner public sympathy and discredit private hostel operators, asserting that operators also face substantial financial burdens including taxes, loan repayments, maintenance and other operational costs.