{
  "id": 2154493,
  "title": "Even after reviewing fees, hostel charges may go higher – Hostel Owners [Audio]",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/even-after-reviewing-fees-hostel-charges-may-go-higher-hostel-owners",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-20T14:20:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/even-after-reviewing-fees-hostel-charges-may-go-higher-hostel-owners-audio/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Chairman of the Hostel Owners Association, Bishop Dr Akwasi Owusu, has dismissed claims that private student hostels are charging exorbitant fees, asserting that operators determine their rates according to what students can afford. In an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Dr Owusu stated that the association does not regard current hostel fees as unreasonable. He explained that when they review hostel fees, they anticipate the new charges to be even higher due to the increased cost of running hostels. According to Dr Owusu, hostel operators take into account students' ability to pay when setting their fees. He noted that when they started, they set fees based on the students' affordability. The hostel owners association also aims to ensure their members provide accommodation that aligns with the fees they charge, he said. Dr Owusu emphasized that hostel owners would not allow the Rent Commissioner to unilaterally decide the amount they should charge. He stressed that the association will continue to engage relevant authorities on hostel fees and operating standards, but any decisions must consider the rising costs of land, construction, taxes, maintenance, and other operational expenses.",
  "summary": "Chairman of the Hostel Owners Association, Bishop Dr Akwasi Owusu, has rejected claims that private student hostels are charging exorbitant fees, insisting that operators set their charges based on what students can afford. He also said hostel owners cannot comply with a directive from the Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, to suspend what he considers excessive […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "He asked us to pay for his flight after we invited him to Kumasi for talks – Hostel owners on Rent Commissioner",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/he-asked-us-to-pay-for-his-flight-after-we-invited-him-to-kumasi-for",
        "published": "2026-08-20T13:24:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}