KTU: Rent Control, GTA shut down two hostels over poor sanitation
The Rent Control Commission and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) have shut down Serwaa Heights and Adehye3 hostels in Koforidua over poor sanitation and substandard living conditions.
The action follows complaints by students of Koforidua Technical University (KTU), who have called on the two institutions to close down unsanitary private hostels operating around the university.
Officials from the Eastern Regional Office of the Ghana Tourism Authority, led by Regional Director Jones Haruna Nelson, and the Acting Rent Control Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, conducted a surprise inspection of hostel facilities near the university after receiving complaints from concerned students.
The team first met with the Dean of Students before proceeding to brief the Vice-Chancellor on the purpose of the exercise.
During the inspection, officials visited Serwaa Heights, located about 300 metres from the university’s small gate, where they observed poor sanitation and management conditions.
The GTA also found that the hostel was operating without being registered with the authority.
Speaking to journalists, Mr Jones Haruna Nelson, the Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, said, “We came and realised that the place is not fit for purpose. We didn’t know there were hostels here, because they are doing illegal business. The place is unkempt, the air coming in is bad, so we have served them a notice of closure.”
Students at the facility told Channel One TV they paid GH¢9,000 annually for a single room and GH¢5,000 each for shared accommodation with three occupants, despite the poor conditions.
The inspection team also visited Adehye3 Hostel, located behind the university’s main campus, where they encountered heaps of refuse at the entrance.
Students occupying the hostel expressed frustration over the conditions and called for its immediate closure.
Following the inspection, the Ghana Tourism Authority issued closure notices to both hostels.
Eastern Regional Director of the GTA, Jones Haruna Nelson, said the closures were necessary to protect students and ensure that hostel operators comply with the required standards.
Acting Rent Control Commissioner Frederick Opoku assured affected students that they would receive refunds for monies paid, adding that the commission would work with the Ghana Tourism Authority to safeguard the welfare of students renting private accommodation.
He said the two institutions would continue to monitor hostel facilities to ensure students receive accommodation that meets acceptable standards.
He vowed to ensure the closure of all hostels taking undue advantage of students across the country.
The commissioner further indicated that it’s collaborating with the Ghana Tourism Authority to ensure that unlicensed and unsanitary hostels and facilities are not left out of the nationwide exercise.
