Two private hostels serving students of Koforidua Technical University (KTU) have been shut down after inspectors found poor sanitation and regulatory violations.
The enforcement exercise was carried out jointly by the Rent Control Commission and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) following complaints from students about living conditions and rent charges.
The affected facilities are Serwaa Heights Hostel and Adehye3 Hostel, both located near the KTU campus in Koforidua.
Officials from the Eastern Regional Office of the GTA and the Rent Control Commission conducted an unannounced inspection after receiving reports from students.
According to the inspection team, Serwaa Heights was operating without the required registration from the Ghana Tourism Authority.
Inspectors also cited poor sanitation and management concerns at the facility.
Students living at the hostel complained about the conditions despite paying substantial accommodation fees.
Some students reportedly said they paid GH¢9,000 per year for single rooms, while others paid GH¢5,000 each for shared accommodation.
Meanwhile, inspectors found heaps of refuse and other sanitation challenges at Adehye3 Hostel.
Students there also appealed to the authorities to intervene and improve accommodation standards.
Following the inspection, the Ghana Tourism Authority issued closure notices to both facilities.
The Rent Control Commission also assured affected students that it would pursue appropriate measures to secure refunds for rent already paid where necessary.
Officials explained that hostel operators must comply with sanitation, safety and licensing requirements before accommodating students.
They added that protecting students’ welfare remains a key priority.
The exercise forms part of a broader enforcement campaign targeting student hostels across Ghana.
Authorities say they are working to eliminate unsafe accommodation, improve sanitation and address exploitative rental practices around tertiary institutions.
Student accommodation has become an important policy issue as enrolment continues to rise across Ghana’s universities and technical institutions.
Although private hostels help meet growing demand, regulators say operators must comply with national standards to ensure safe and healthy living conditions.
The Rent Control Commission and the Ghana Tourism Authority have indicated that similar inspections will continue in other university communities as part of efforts to improve accommodation standards nationwide.
