The Acting Commissioner of the Rent Control Commission has strongly criticized the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) over the high accommodation fees being charged at the Pentagon Hostel on the campus of the University of Ghana.
Speaking on the growing concerns over student accommodation costs, the Commissioner accused SSNIT of exploiting pensioners and ordinary Ghanaians through the expensive hostel rates. According to him, it is unfair for an institution responsible for managing the pensions of hardworking citizens to impose what he described as excessive charges on students and families already struggling with the high cost of living.
“The same parents whose pensions you manage are the same people you are exploiting,” he stated, adding that SSNIT should “bow their heads in shame” over the pricing at the popular Pentagon Hostel.
The comments have sparked widespread debate on social media, with many students and parents expressing frustration over the increasing cost of accommodation on university campuses across Ghana. Some users argued that hostel fees have become unaffordable for the average Ghanaian family, while others called on authorities to regulate pricing to protect students.
The Pentagon Hostel, one of the most sought-after student hostels at the University of Ghana, has often faced criticism over its accommodation charges. With demand for campus housing continuing to rise, many students have been forced to seek alternative accommodation off-campus, where rent prices are also steadily increasing.
The remarks by the Acting Commissioner have renewed discussions about affordability in tertiary education and whether state institutions like SSNIT should prioritize profit over social responsibility.
