Omanghana
The Concerned Students of the University of Ghana say they will proceed with a planned demonstration over accommodation costs despite a warning from the university’s Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana, UG chapter (GRASAG-UG).
The protest is scheduled to run for three days, from Monday, November 9, to Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
The group says rising accommodation charges are placing pressure on students and their families, with some students at risk of deferring or abandoning their studies.
Convener Nasiba Abass said the demonstration had originally been planned for November 2 but was postponed after police requested additional time to prepare personnel for the exercise.
Disagreement Over Accommodation Fees
The dispute began after a 26% increase was proposed for university-managed accommodation and facilities managed by the University of Ghana Enterprise Limited (UGEL).
The university’s Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Rosina Kyerematen, said the initial proposal was rejected and that a consensus had been reached on increases of 15% for four-person rooms and 19% for two-person rooms.
However, the SRC and GRASAG-UG subsequently said the revised rates remained unacceptable and that negotiations had not produced a mutually acceptable agreement.
The protesting students are calling for lower accommodation charges and refunds where appropriate. They also want greater transparency over SRC and GRASAG levies and independent verification of financial claims presented to university management.
Student Leadership Dispute
In a joint statement issued on November 1, the SRC and GRASAG-UG described the organizing group as unrecognized and unregistered under the university’s governance framework. They urged students not to participate in demonstrations that do not comply with university regulations or the Public Order Act.
The two bodies said they shared students’ concerns about accommodation costs and would continue engaging UGEL and other stakeholders.
Abass rejected their description of the group, saying its members had engaged the Dean of Students, the SRC, GRASAG and other institutions over their concerns.
Rent Control Directive
The dispute also prompted intervention from Ghana’s Rent Control Department, which on November 2 directed UGEL and private hostel operators covered by the country’s rent laws to suspend unassessed rent increases.
The department said affected operators should restore previous rates pending assessment and refund excess payments by November 17, 2026.
Source: Omanghana
