Kumasi, Ashanti Region – Students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have staged a protest over what they describe as “exorbitant” private hostel fees, calling on government to urgently intervene.
The demonstration was led by members of the University Hall (Katanga) Morale Group during the 2026 National Youth Conference organized by the National Youth Authority (NYA) on the KNUST campus.
“We Came to Learn, Not to Sleep”
The students used placards to highlight the financial burden of accommodation. Some of the messages read:
“Reduce Hostel Fees Now!”
“We Came to Learn, Not to Sleep”
“Hostel Fees Are Now More Expensive Than Our School Fees, Why? #KNUSTStudentsDeserveBetter
Speaking on behalf of the group, the leader, Obrane, a final-year Agricultural Engineering student, said the high charges were making it difficult for many students and their parents to cope.
“Everybody wants their children to enrol in university. If the hostel prices are more expensive than the university school fees, then it is unfortunate,” he said.
Obrane noted that although the Rent Control Department had taken some steps, many private hostel operators continue to charge fees students consider excessive.
“The hostel owners want to exhibit that their power supersedes the government. We came to school to learn and not to sleep,” he lamented.
He appealed to the media to amplify their concerns and pressure authorities to act.
Government Responds: “We Will Take Action”
The *Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare Addo, who was present at the conference, assured the students that government would address the issue.
“I want to assure them that, as Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, I will take up this issue with the Minister for Education and the appropriate authorities that are responsible for controlling rent in this country,” he stated.
Mr. Opare Addo stressed that Ghana is a country of laws and private operators must comply.
“We are a country of laws, and we must allow our laws to work. No single individual is bigger or greater than the laws of this country,” he said.
The Minister disclosed that the Ministry of Education is already engaging private developers to construct affordable accommodation facilities directly on university campuses. This, he said, forms part of government’s broader plan to tackle the accommodation deficit in tertiary institutions.
“We will have the necessary conversations with owners of hostels and make sure that prices are reasonable for the dear students of this country,” he assured.
“Bed for All” Agenda Reaffirmed
Mr. Opare Addo also reaffirmed government’s commitment to the “Bed for All” agenda, a manifesto promise aimed at increasing bed capacity on campuses nationwide.
“As part of our manifesto promise, we promised the ‘Bed for All’ agenda, so we will continue to pursue it and make sure that there are more than enough beds for students on campuses,” he added.
The protest highlights growing concerns about the cost of tertiary education in Ghana, with students calling for stronger regulation of private hostels and faster delivery of on-campus housing projects.
_By Daily Newsflash_
#KNUST #KNUSTStudents #HostelFees #ReduceHostelFees #BedForAll #GeorgeOpareAddo #EducationInGhana #StudentProtest #DailyNewsflash
