Some male students in tertiary institutions across Ghana say betting is increasingly being used to help pay for rising hostel accommodation costs, as housing challenges continue to affect students on campus.
The claims were made by student leaders who say many students are struggling to cope with high hostel fees, with some reportedly turning to betting and other informal means of raising money.
Others, they add, are forced to sleep in church auditoriums or other temporary spaces because they cannot afford accommodation.
The concerns were discussed on the Home Owners Show on Metro TV, hosted by Dr Hanna Atiase, which has been focusing on Ghana’s growing accommodation challenges in recent weeks amid public concern over rising and sometimes arbitrary hostel charges.
During a recent episode, a student on the programme said some male students on campus were engaging in betting in order to raise money for what they described as overpriced hostel and off campus accommodation fees.
The comment added to wider concerns raised by students about the cost and availability of accommodation in tertiary institutions, where demand continues to outstrip supply.
In response, the Acting Rent Commissioner, Fredrick Opoku, said his office remains committed to addressing concerns within the rental and housing sector.
He assured students and the public that efforts were underway to hold offenders accountable while also recognising the need to protect property owners and their investments.
Story By Martha Seyram Jackson || Metro Digital
