Make hostel accommodation affordable for students – Ghanamma.com

Accra, June 30, GNA— Hostel fees in Accra and other capitals have seen a significant increase in most tertiary institutions over the past months, a random sample from the Ghana News Agency (GNA) has revealed.

While some hostel caretakers blame the situation on the high cost of goods, services and utilities, students are also concerned that it could affect their educational progress.

Visits to some hostels by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) confirmed the allegations.

At the Alberto Hostel in Osu, adjacent to the GIJ, the GNA realized that fees had increased from GHS 1,500 to GHS 1,700 for two persons in a single room and from GHS 1,100 to 1,500 per semester for four persons, respectively.

In the “Amalia” hostel in Medina, fees have also been increased from GHS 1000 to 1,200 per semester, with management indicating that there may be a further increase.

A visit to other hostels indicated that caretakers were tight-lipped on their fees, but indicated that the higher cost of goods and services resulted in the increase.

This development has not only created tension among the tertiary students but also put a huge financial burden on the parents who were working hard to pay both the academic and hostel fees of their children.

The owner of a hostel known as Alhaji at Njinaram Hostel Okpongalo, located behind Ecobank, said it was because of the high standard of living and the steady increase in construction materials and utilities that influenced his decision to increase the fees.

However, Alhaji promised not to pressure the students to pay, as he was also a parent and understood that some students fend for themselves.

“There would be no need to raise the price of hostel accommodation, if not for a sustained increase in goods and services. Yet as human as I am and as a parent, I understand that some students lead an independent life. So, I will be patient with them to make the payment”, he explained.

At the University of Ghana, hostel fees ranged from GHS 1,500 to GHS 5000 annually depending on the students’ preference and hall.

There are 14 halls and two hostels available for all the students.

The halls are Legon Hall, (Men and Female) Akufo Hall, (Men and Female) Volta Hall (Female), Mensa Sabah Hall (Men and Female), Bani Hall, African Union Hall and James Top Nelson Yanka Hall.

For example, in 2021 and 2022, all new students in Ghana who were admitted as residents will have to pay an additional GHS 100 as a levy for generators.

For four in a room at UPSA, students are expected to pay a total of GHS 30.00 as hall dues and GHS 20.00 as UPSA hostel initial electricity credit.

For two in a room students have to pay GHS1, 510.00 as GHS30.00 hall dues and GHS 40.00 as UPSA hostel initial electricity credit.

Hostels and halls in UDS range from GHc700.00 for four in a room to GHS 2000.00 for one in a room.

Campus hostels are more affordable than city hostels.

The main reason why students stay in the city is because there is not enough space.

Jemima, a level 300 student at the University of Ghana, said she preferred accommodation in the city rather than on campus for peace of mind and privacy, and this was mostly because the campus dormitories were mostly full.

“City hostels are expensive these days, yet I prefer on-campus hostels because I find peace of mind here,” she said.

Jemima urged the hostel owners and caregivers to take it easy with them and try to accept payments in installments and again make things affordable for them.

Research has proven that hostel facilities are more expensive in Kumasi (the disturbance area), but it is clear that students in Accra did not find it easy.

Meanwhile, students on campus are also facing problems with accommodation. It’s like “first come, first served”. Rooms fill up quickly and are expensive.

The Student Representative Council of the Institutions, GNA has requested all the officials to help in building more hostel facilities and make the hostel fees affordable for them.

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