‘You’re an action man’ – Abena Osei-Asare hails Rent Commissioner’s hostel fee crackdown

Parliament's Public Accounts Committee Chairperson Abena Osei-Asare has praised Acting Rent Control Commissioner Frederick Opoku as an "action man" for his recent enforcement of rent regulations and scrutiny of private hostel charges. The comment was made as Opoku appeared before the Committee on October 7, 2026, to continue scrutiny of public institutions. Osei-Asare welcomed Opoku and acknowledged his activities in the rent sector, describing him as "very interesting" and an "action man".

The Acting Rent Commissioner has been taking a proactive approach to regulating private accommodation facilities, especially hostels for students. He has been conducting inspections and warning operators against practices that violate Ghana's rent laws. Opoku maintains that private hostels are subject to rent-control regulations, emphasizing that the Rent Control Department has jurisdiction over private premises across the country, with the exception of government-owned properties.

In May, the Rent Control Department instructed private hostel owners and operators to suspend proposed fee increases for the 2026/2027 academic year pending consultations with stakeholders. Opoku has also been vocal about hostel charges, raising concerns over rising accommodation fees and complaints from students. During inspections, he has described some facilities as "cubicles, not hostels," due to overcrowding, poor ventilation, and inadequate conditions for students.

Opoku's actions have faced criticism from some hostel operators, such as Ghana Hostels Limited, which contested Opoku's remarks about charges at the Pentagon Hostel, claiming they were based on inadequate due diligence and created a misleading impression about the facility. Despite the pushback, Opoku has remained firm on his stance that hostel operators must comply with rent regulations.