Prepare to meet us in court – Rent Commissioner tells UGEL management

Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku has warned the management of the University of Ghana Enterprises Limited (UGEL) to prepare for possible legal action over its handling of accommodation fee increases at the University of Ghana.

He says the Rent Control Department is considering legal action against UGEL for alleged non-compliance with the Rent Act, insisting that the department will no longer tolerate attempts by institutions to disregard its directives.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Opoku disclosed that he had cautioned the UGEL Chief Executive Officer during a meeting about the potential legal consequences of breaching the law, including a possible jail term.

“At the meeting, I strongly warned the UGEL CEO that he risks going to jail because the Rent Act provides for a custodial sentence for certain breaches,” he said.

The Commissioner added that the department was seeking legal advice from the Attorney-General’s Office and was confident that the matter could proceed to court if UGEL failed to comply with the law.

“We are taking advice from the Attorney-General, and I am sure we will be suing them for non-compliance and illegality. I believe the Attorney-General will get them prosecuted, and they will face the full rigours of the law,” he warned.

Mr Opoku gave UGEL seven days to demonstrate its willingness to comply with the department’s directives or face possible legal proceedings.

“They have seven days to show their muscles or meet us in court,” he declared.

He said the department was determined to enforce its mandate, warning that it would no longer allow institutions to treat Rent Control as an authority without the power to act.

“A time has come when people are calling the bluff of Rent Control and refusing to face the law. If the GRA, NPA and other regulatory bodies issue directives and people respect them, nobody should think Rent Control is a toothless bulldog. That is no more,” he said.

The warning comes amid growing controversy over proposed accommodation fee increases at the University of Ghana, which has triggered student protests and calls for greater transparency in the management of hostel charges.

Mr. Opoku has maintained that although landlords and accommodation providers may seek to increase rent, they must follow the prescribed legal procedures and justify proposed increases to the department.