News
Rent Control Department Cracks Down On Hostels Over Exploitative Pricing, Illegal Rent Advances
The Rent Control Department has announced a nationwide compliance exercise targeting hostel operators across Ghana’s tertiary institutions, following concerns over alleged exploitative pricing, arbitrary rent increases, and excessive advance rent demands.
The Department said the move forms part of efforts to enforce compliance with the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220), after receiving a formal petition from the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) on April 23, 2026, calling for urgent action on hostel rent practices affecting students.
The intervention follows mounting concerns from students over rising accommodation costs, particularly in university communities where hostel demand continues to outstrip supply.
NUGS, in its petition, urged the Rent Control Department to strictly enforce existing laws, regulate hostel pricing structures, and improve access to redress mechanisms for students affected by unfair practices.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Department warned that landlords and hostel operators found violating tenancy regulations will face sanctions, including possible prosecution.
“The concerns raised—particularly on arbitrary pricing, excessive advance rent demands, and non-compliance with tenancy procedures—are of significant public interest and fall within the regulatory scope of the Rent Act,” the Department stated.
As part of the enforcement measures, the Rent Control Department has outlined a nationwide inspection exercise targeting hostel facilities in major tertiary education zones.
The Department said the inspections are aimed at ensuring that hostel operators comply with lawful rent procedures and do not take advantage of students through inflated charges or illegal advance payments.
Officials have also reminded landlords that the law places limits on the amount of advance rent that can be collected, warning that breaches will not be tolerated.
“Landlords and hostel operators are hereby reminded that the law restricts the collection of advance rent beyond permissible limits. Any violation will attract sanctions, including prosecution under Act 220,” the statement cautioned.
Beyond enforcement, the Department says it will develop standardised guidelines to regulate hostel pricing and tenancy agreements, in consultation with stakeholders including student bodies, universities, and property owners.
A national stakeholder dialogue is also expected to be convened to agree on reforms that balance tenant protection with sustainable housing provision in tertiary communities.
In addition, a dedicated complaints mechanism will be introduced to allow students to report rent-related abuses without fear of victimisation.
The Rent Control Department has urged all hostel operators and property managers to regularise their operations in line with the law, stressing that ignorance of the Rent Act will not be accepted as a defence.


myjoyonline.com
Energy
See The Areas That Will Be Affected By Power Outages On June 4
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced multiple power outages for Thursday, June 4, 2026, affecting communities in the Tema, Eastern, Central, and Western Regions, with a combination of planned and emergency maintenance exercises scheduled across the country.
In the Tema Area, a planned maintenance exercise will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00pm. The affected areas include the Sea Water Desalination Plant, Maranatha, Buade, Glow Lamp, Frimpongmaa Estates, Abrantie, Dan Adams, Coastal Estates, Basket, GCB Training School, Ataa Adama, Royal Ravico, Junction Mall, Regimanuel Estates, Parakuo Estates, Queensland International School, Kpoo Keke, Best Western Premier Hotel, Leisure Hours Hotel, and extensive parts of Nungua including Zongo, Township, Traditional Council, Polyclinic and Secondary School. Also affected are the Kpeshie Divisional Police Headquarters, Coco Beach, Main 1, Father’s Hotel, C5 and surrounding areas. The notice was originally issued on Monday, June 1.
In the Eastern Region, a planned maintenance exercise will run from 8:00am to 5:00pm, affecting Sekesua, Anyamoni, Oterkpolu, Bukonor, Asesewa, Akateng and surrounding areas. This notice was originally issued on Tuesday, 2nd June.
The Central Region will experience a planned outage from 9:00am to 3:30pm, affecting Brimso Headworks, Akaikrom, Police Barrier, Ankaful Junction, Mpeasem, WAEC, Yayaaikawa, Wanyiwato, part of Dominase, Duakyimase and surrounding areas.
In the Western Region, ECG will undertake two separate exercises. The first is an emergency maintenance from 10:00am to 2:00pm, affecting Dixcove, Busua, Cape 3, Agona Damtsi, GREL and surrounding areas. The second is another emergency maintenance from 9:00am to 4:00pm, affecting Akoon, UEE, parts of Market Circle, Railway Quarters, Apinto Hospital, Cyanide, Kwabedu, Alhaji Dauda, New Atuabo, Budo City, Banso, Esuosu and surrounding areas.
ECG has expressed regret for the inconvenience that will arise from all these exercises. The company has advised affected customers to make alternative arrangements for power-dependent activities during the specified hours.
All notices were originally issued between Monday, June 1 and Wednesday, June 3, 2026. ECG assured that power supply would be restored to all affected areas upon completion of the scheduled maintenance works. Customers have been encouraged to contact ECG’s official communication channels for further updates.
graphic.com.gh
General News
Today’s Newspaper Headlines: Thursday, 4th June, 2026
General News
Assin Edubiase: School Bus ‘Plunges’ Into River, Two Pupils Killed
Tragedy struck when a school bus transporting more than 40 pupils of a preparatory school at Assin Edubiase in the Assin South District of the Central Region veered off the road and plunged into a river.
It resulted in the death of two kindergarten pupils of the Alice Elites Academy.
The deceased, a three-year-old and a five-year-old, were among pupils who were in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter bus with registration number AS 2218-20.
The accident occurred on the Assin Kwafokrom-Homaho stretch on Monday [June 1, 2026].

Graphic Online understands that the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, it veered off the road, and plunged into the river.
Dozens of pupils got injured.
ASP Wonder Lumor from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Central North Regional Police Command told Graphic Online that the 40 injured pupils were transported to health facilities for emergency medical care.

According to him, 22 of the victims were taken to the St. Francis Xavier Hospital, while the 18 others received treatment at the Assin Edubiase Health Centre.
ASP Lumor explained that all the injured pupils responded positively to treatment and were later discharged.
graphic.com.gh
-
Opinion1 year agoA LETTER TO GES
-
Showbiz1 year agoBogo Blay – Woman (Produced By FimFim)
-
Business1 year agoIran sanction relief could send Cedis soaring at GH₵8 per dollar – Analyst
-
Showbiz1 year agoKofi Kinaata Honoured with “Youth in Entertainment” Award at 2025 Millennium Excellence Awards
-
People & Lifestyle1 year agoThe differences between ‘I love you’ and ‘I’m in love with you’
-
News1 year ago‘Not Chosen by Merit’ – Ghanaian Prophet Predicts Short Papacy for Pope Leo XIV
-
People & Lifestyle1 year agoEfiewura TV series actor Koo Ofori arrested over alleged $50k fraud
-
Showbiz1 year agoWebz – Odo | MP3 Download
























