Acting Rent Control Commissioner Frederick Opoku has leveled fresh accusations against Ghana’s hostel industry, claiming that a significant majority of operators are running their businesses outside the confines of the law while dodging their tax responsibilities.
The Commissioner made these allegations during an appearance on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show on Thursday, September 17, 2026, asserting that tax evasion and legal non-compliance have become widespread among hostel operators nationwide.
The statement lands in the middle of a heightened enforcement push by the Rent Control Department, which has been zeroing in on private hostels over issues ranging from proper registration to rent-setting practices and overall adherence to Ghana’s housing regulations.
Mr Opoku has consistently pushed back against the notion that a Ghana Tourism Authority license shields private hostels from rent control laws, insisting no such exemption exists.
Just last month, he reiterated that the Rent Control Department holds the authority to evaluate and approve rent charges set by private hostels, cautioning operators against unilaterally fixing prices without going through the proper assessment channels.
The Commissioner has also put unregistered operators on notice, urging them to formalize their businesses or face potential legal consequences.
Under Section 20 of the Rent Control Act, private hostel operators are legally obligated to submit detailed and truthful records concerning their properties and amenities to the Rent Control Department, including tenancy paperwork and investment disclosures.
Additionally, Mr Opoku has instructed landlords and hostel operators to provide tenants with official rent cards and legitimate tenancy agreements, cautioning that noncompliance carries penalties of fines, jail time, or both.
This newest claim about widespread tax avoidance introduces yet another layer to the mounting scrutiny surrounding Ghana’s hostel sector.
The department’s crackdown stems from a wave of complaints lodged by students and their parents, who have raised alarms over what they view as inflated hostel fees.
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Back in May 2026, Mr Opoku signaled that his department would collaborate with the Ghana Tourism Authority to shut down hostels operating unlawfully and imposing exorbitant rates, branding certain unregistered operators as lawbreakers.
He has been firm in his position that owning a hostel investment does not grant operators immunity from Ghana’s legal framework.
His latest remarks are poised to fuel renewed demands for a thorough overhaul of how hostels are regulated, touching on registration processes, rent evaluations, tenancy record-keeping, and tax adherence.
The stakes are especially high right now, with tertiary students across the country in the thick of their search for housing as the new academic year approaches.
For students and their families, the department’s enforcement efforts could reshape how hostel fees are calculated and what paperwork operators must furnish going forward.
That said, Mr Opoku’s claim that the majority of hostel operators evade taxes remains unverified and would require confirmation from tax authorities and a review of individual operators’ financial records.