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Suspend rent increases or face legal action – Acting Rent Commissioner warns hostel operators
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The Acting Rent Commissioner of Ghana, Mr Frederick Opoku, has directed all hostel operators across the country to suspend any planned rent increases, warning that defaulters would face legal action as the government intensifies enforcement of rent laws.
The directive forms part of a broader campaign by the Rent Control Department to regulate accommodation charges, protect tenants from exploitation and ensure compliance with existing housing regulations.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra yesterday, Mr Opoku stated that hostel operators who had issued notices of rent increments after the department’s directive must withdraw them immediately. He added that students and tenants should disregard such notices and report offenders to the Rent Control Department.
Mr Opoku also announced plans to register all landlords nationwide to improve accountability and strengthen the administration of rent-related matters.
He stated that relief had come for tenants, explaining that all hostel rent increases had been halted. He added that any student who received a notice announcing a rent increment after the directive should ignore it and submit a copy to the Rent Control Department for the necessary action.
Mr Opoku further disclosed that the department had collaborated with the Ghana Tourism Authority to monitor and regulate hostel facilities, particularly those operating without the required licences and registration.
He expressed concern about the poor conditions in some student hostels, describing a number of facilities inspected by his team as cubicles rather than suitable accommodation.
According to him, some rooms measuring about 16 feet by eight feet were accommodating up to four occupants under poor ventilation conditions, while charging what he described as excessive fees.
Mr Opoku stated that all landlords would be required to register with the Rent Control Department and obtain unique identification numbers before accessing any of its services.
He explained that landlords who failed to register would not be attended to at any Rent Control office across the country.
He further indicated that the department would begin strict enforcement after six months of public education on the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords.
The Acting Rent Commissioner reiterated that the law prohibits landlords from demanding rent advances exceeding six months and warned that offenders would be prosecuted.
While commending landlords for their role in housing delivery, he urged them to comply with the law and avoid practices that placed undue hardship on tenants.
Mr Opoku assured the public that the department would continue its reform and digitisation agenda to improve service delivery and promote peaceful landlord-tenant relations across the country.
By Eugene Ampiaw
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has clarified that former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta remains the subject of criminal proceedings in Ghana and is still wanted under a valid arrest warrant issued by the High Court in Accra.
In a public notice, the OSP said it had taken note of a transcript of a hearing from a United States immigration court that has been circulated by some media organisations.
According to the office, the document has been interpreted by some to suggest that Mr. Ofori-Atta has not been credibly charged or linked to any wrongdoing in Ghana.
The OSP rejected that interpretation, explaining that it is not involved in Mr. Ofori-Atta’s immigration proceedings in the United States.
It said its involvement relates only to extradition proceedings, which are being handled through Ghana’s Attorney-General as the country’s central authority.
According to the OSP, the extradition documents are not before the US immigration court and the court has no authority to determine whether the criminal charges against Mr. Ofori-Atta are credible.
“The credibility or otherwise of the criminal charges against Mr. Ofori-Atta is a matter for determination by the courts in Ghana,” the OSP stated.
The office explained that there are three separate legal proceedings involving the former minister.
These include the immigration proceedings in the United States concerning his immigration status, extradition proceedings to determine whether he should be returned to Ghana, and the criminal case before the High Court in Accra involving corruption and corruption-related offences.
The OSP reiterated that Mr. Ofori-Atta remains before the High Court in Accra as an accused person and that a valid warrant has been issued for his arrest.
It maintained that he remains a fugitive from justice in Ghana and is required to appear before the High Court to answer the charges against him.
The Special Prosecutor also stressed that the criminal proceedings in Ghana would continue in accordance with the law and the directives of the High Court, whether or not Mr. Ofori-Atta is physically present in the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Telecel Ghana has announced that it has resolved the intermittent challenges that affected its voice and data services.
In a message to customers, the telecommunications company announced that its network services had been fully restored after experiencing temporary disruptions.
“We are pleased to inform you that intermittent challenges with our voice and data services have been resolved,” the company said.
Telecel apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused by the service interruptions and thanked them for their patience during the period.
“We appreciate your patience and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused,” the company added.
The company assured customers of its commitment to providing reliable communication services under its slogan, “Connecting Energies.”
By: Jacob Aggrey
