Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has proposed linking annual increases in accommodation charges at public universities to inflation, suggesting an adjustment range of between 5% and 10% to help protect students from excessive costs.
Mr Iddrisu has called for the establishment of a committee to assess accommodation charges and advise Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson on an appropriate annual adjustment under the Fees and Charges Act.
Speaking in a media interview, the Education Minister expressed concern about the high cost of accommodation in the country, arguing that a clear regulatory framework could make increases more predictable and prevent arbitrary charges.
“We do not support exorbitant rent prices being charged across the country,” he said.
He proposed that the committee recommend an acceptable percentage increase each year before the Finance Minister proceeds with the implementation of the Fees and Charges Act.
“It is my view that we should constitute a committee to advise the Minister of Finance before he proceeds with the Fees and Charges Act on what percentage increase is permissible each year,” Mr Iddrisu stated.
The Minister suggested that inflation could serve as a benchmark for determining annual adjustments, taking prevailing economic conditions into consideration.
“We can say, for instance, take inflation as a guide, 5 to 10 per cent increase annually,” he added.
Under the proposal, the committee would assess accommodation costs and recommend a suitable benchmark to guide annual increases, with the broader objective of preventing disproportionate charges and improving affordability for students.
However, the proposed 5% to 10% range remains a suggestion by the Education Minister and has not been approved as a binding limit on annual accommodation fee increases.
