Two KTU Student Hostels Shut Down Over Sanitation and Regulatory Breaches

Two private hostels serving students of Koforidua Technical University (KTU) have been closed by the Rent Control Commission and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) following concerns over poor sanitation, unsuitable living conditions and regulatory violations.

The affected facilities, Serwaa Heights and Adehye3 Hostel, were inspected after students raised complaints about the state of the hostels and alleged arbitrary increases in rent.

The inspection was conducted by officials from the Eastern Regional Office of the Ghana Tourism Authority, led by Regional Director Jones Haruna Nelson, together with Acting Rent Control Commissioner Frederick Opoku. The team carried out an unannounced exercise around the university after receiving the complaints.

At Serwaa Heights, located near the university’s small gate, officials reportedly found poor sanitation and other conditions they considered unsuitable for student accommodation. The GTA also established that the facility was operating without the required registration.

Students at the hostel told officials they were paying as much as GH¢9,000 annually for single rooms, while three-person shared rooms cost about GH¢5,000 per student, despite the reported condition of the facility.

The inspection team subsequently visited Adehye3 Hostel behind the university’s main campus, where officials observed refuse around the entrance and other sanitation concerns. Students at the facility also complained about the conditions and called for action.

Following the inspections, the Ghana Tourism Authority issued closure notices to both facilities.

Mr Jones Haruna Nelson said the closures were necessary to protect students and ensure that hostel operators meet the regulatory requirements for providing accommodation.

The Acting Rent Control Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, said affected students would be entitled to refunds for monies already paid. He also assured students that the Rent Control Commission would work with the GTA to protect tenants from poor accommodation standards and unfair rental practices.

The two agencies are expected to continue inspecting private hostels around tertiary institutions as part of efforts to identify unlicensed facilities and ensure that student accommodation meets acceptable health, safety and sanitation standards.