{
  "id": 753375,
  "title": "KNUST Hall Master backs students’ protest over exorbitant private hostel fees",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/knust-hall-master-backs-students-protest-over-exorbitant-private",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T10:08:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/knust-hall-master-backs-students-protest-over-exorbitant-private-hostel-fees/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Professor Richard Kodzo Avuglah, the Hall Master of Unity Hall at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has expressed support for students protesting against the high private hostel fees. During the National Youth Conference at KNUST, students highlighted the steep increase in private accommodation costs, ranging from GH₵5,000 to GH₵10,000 per academic year. This fee burden is causing significant financial strain for students and their families, as private hostels charge between GH₵6,000 and GH₵7,000 per student, far exceeding the government-regulated rate of GH₵2,167.80 for traditional university halls. Avuglah emphasized that the high fees are justified but advised the students to maintain peace during their protests. The shortage of traditional halls, especially after the first year of study, adds to the pressure on students seeking more affordable housing options. Traditional hall fees at KNUST have remained constant for four years due to parliamentary approval restrictions, despite the ongoing financial strain on students. The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, assured that the government acknowledges the students' concerns and will address the issue with relevant authorities to ensure reasonable accommodation prices.",
  "summary": "The Hall Master of Unity Hall, popularly known as Katanga, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Richard Kodzo Avuglah, has backed students who protested against what they describe as exorbitant private hostel fees. The students staged the protest during the National Youth Conference organised by the National Youth Authority at […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Professor Richard Kodzo Avuglah supports students' protest against high private hostel fees.",
    "Private hostel fees range from GH₵5,000 to GH₵10,000 per academic year.",
    "Hall Master advises students to maintain peace during protests."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Hall Master's backing of students' protests signals a shift in institutional support for addressing the financial strain caused by exorbitant private hostel fees on students and their families.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}