University Of Ghana Students Appeals To Management Over Hall Fee Increment

A student of the University of Ghana has voiced his concerns regarding a 20% increase in hall fees by the university’s management, describing the decision as burdensome, especially for financially struggling students.

In an interview featured on the TikTok page of @joynewsontv, the student highlighted the struggles many students face in meeting basic needs such as affording three daily meals.

He appealed to the university to reconsider the hike. He said, “We had initially agreed that all final years and continuing students were to pay GH¢2,000, so we had agreed, and we paid, only for me to wake up one day and see a message circulating that there was an increment in the residential fees again.

I would say that it is an autocratic decision that has been taken.”

The student added, “Some of us are here; we barely eat. There is something called formation zero, zero, one a day. Even with that one, the students do not get better food to eat.”

Similarly, Maradona Yeboah Adjei, popularly known as Guru and the SRC President of the university, expressed dissatisfaction over the unilateral decision by management.

In a public statement, he urged the administration to consider the welfare of students before implementing such changes.

The new policy mandates that first-year students pay GH¢3,000, an increase from GH¢2,500, while continuing students now pay GH¢1,500 instead of GH¢1,000.

This adjustment comes alongside a directive requiring halls of residence to cover their own electricity bills.

The fee increment has stirred various reactions online, with netizens sharing mixed opinions. Some expressed dismay, while others argued the increase was inevitable due to government policy changes.

Comments included:”John Dumelo and Maa Lydia must come to our aid.””Please, they should not disturb our ears, John Dumelo is there, they should go to him.””

I think it is because of the first-year tuition-free policy that fees for continuing students are being increased.”

The decision also follows a trend of rising hostel fees across private accommodations near the university, with costs ranging from GH¢5,000 to GH¢35,000.

Students are hopeful the management will reconsider the increments to ease their financial burdens.