University of Ghana students have intensified their opposition to the 15 per cent increase in hostel fees, demanding the removal of the management of the University of Ghana Enterprises Limited (UGEL) over what they describe as poor handling of accommodation charges.
The students argue that the increment for the 2026/2027 academic year is unjustified because it was introduced without adequate consultation and corresponding improvements in the quality of hostel facilities.
The demand was made during a demonstration organised by the Concerned Students of the University of Ghana on Monday, November 9.
Speaking to Citi News, some protesters accused UGEL management of failing to consider the financial difficulties confronting students and prioritising their welfare.
One of the demonstrators insisted that the current management had lost the confidence of students and should be removed.
The protest also seeks a review of the revised accommodation charges and greater transparency in how hostel fees are determined.
The demonstration went ahead despite appeals by the University of Ghana Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG-UG) for students to stay away.
It was initially scheduled for November 2 but was postponed to November 9 after the police requested additional time to prepare personnel to facilitate the exercise.
UGEL’s proposed increase has been a subject of disagreement between management and student representatives.
The university has explained that an initial 26 per cent increase proposed by UGEL was reduced to 15 per cent for standard rooms accommodating four students following engagements with student leaders.
In a statement issued on November 8, university management said it was reopening discussions with the SRC, GRASAG-UG and the UGEL Board to reach an agreement on accommodation charges for the coming academic year.
The dispute comes amid broader concerns over rising accommodation costs at the university.
The Rent Control Department has also directed UGEL and private hostel operators to suspend unassessed rent increases and refund excess payments by November 17, 2026.
The students’ demand for the removal of UGEL management adds another dimension to the dispute, which has increasingly centred on affordability, consultation and accountability in the university’s accommodation system.
