Ghana’s Acting Rent Control Commissioner has issued a pointed warning to landlords flouting the country’s tenancy laws, signalling a tougher enforcement stance from the department responsible for protecting tenants’ rights.
Frederick Opoku, who heads the Rent Control Department in an acting capacity, made the remarks during an interview on Angel FM on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, warning that property owners who demand illegal rent advances or exploit tenants will face the full weight of the law.
“I am not just bluffing — just like I hear people saying — but the rent law will deal with you if you are caught in the web,” Mr. Opoku said, leaving little ambiguity about the department’s intentions.
The commissioner stressed that the Rent Control Department remains firmly committed to enforcing Ghana’s tenancy regulations, which restrict the advance rent payments landlords can legally demand from prospective tenants. He noted that any landlord found to be in breach of the law following investigation will face legal consequences, irrespective of the scale or nature of the violation.
Mr. Opoku also directed his message at tenants, urging anyone experiencing rent-related abuse — whether in the form of excessive advance demands or other unlawful charges — to report such cases to the appropriate authorities so action can be taken.
Rent Control To Cut Out Private Agents— Plans Direct Landlord Registration
His remarks arrive against a backdrop of mounting public frustration over spiralling rental costs and widespread reports of landlords demanding months or even years of advance payment across major cities and towns in Ghana. The practice, long a source of tension between property owners and tenants, has drawn increased scrutiny as housing affordability continues to strain low- and middle-income earners.
The Rent Control Department’s renewed warning suggests enforcement activity may intensify in the weeks ahead as officials move to translate the commissioner’s strong words into tangible action on the ground.