The Government of Ghana has established a high level committee involving the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, and university authorities to address mounting concerns surrounding escalating hostel accommodation charges in tertiary institutions across the country.
The announcement was made by Haruna Iddrisu during the inauguration ceremony for the governing councils of Jasikan College of Education and the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences on Tuesday, May 11.
Speaking at the event, the Education Minister cautioned that collaborations between public institutions and private investors in the development of hostel infrastructure must not result in excessive accommodation costs that place additional financial pressure on students and their families.
Mr Iddrisu acknowledged growing public dissatisfaction regarding recent increases in hostel fees and explained that consultations are currently underway involving the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, together with vice chancellors from various universities, with the aim of securing a mutually acceptable resolution.
According to the minister, the government remains determined to ensure that private sector participation within the education system operates within carefully regulated social and public interest safeguards rather than purely commercial considerations.
He stressed that educational infrastructure partnerships must reflect broader national values and social responsibilities, particularly when dealing with services that directly affect students and access to higher education.
Mr Iddrisu further assured that the government intends to maintain a socially responsible framework in the delivery of public goods and educational services while considering the wider welfare implications of policy implementation.
The Education Minister also disclosed that the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences is expected to enrol its first batch of approximately 800 students by October this year as part of efforts to expand access to tertiary education nationwide.
Additionally, he revealed that government is actively pursuing plans for the establishment of more public universities across the country, including a proposed institution in the Western North Region.
According to Mr Iddrisu, recommendations concerning the creation of additional public universities will be submitted to President John Dramani Mahama and the government through the appropriate policy and administrative channels for further direction and consideration.
The minister further reassured residents of the Western North Region that they remain fully included in government strategies aimed at expanding tertiary education infrastructure and improving educational opportunities throughout the country.
He emphasised that the region continues to feature prominently in ongoing national discussions regarding future university development and the broader expansion of Ghana’s higher education system.
