UG SRC, GRASAG caution students against planned accommodation protest

The warning follows an announcement by the Concerned Students’ Movement of the University of Ghana to stage a demonstration on Monday, November 2, over a proposed 26 per cent increase in accommodation fees at university halls and facilities managed by the University of Ghana Enterprise Limited (UGEL).

In a joint communiqué, GRASAG-UG and UGSRC acknowledged students’ concerns about high accommodation costs, describing them as legitimate and deserving of urgent attention. However, they urged students to avoid demonstrations that do not comply with university regulations or the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491).

“We clarify that the group currently mobilising for a demonstration on Monday, November 2, is unrecognised and unregistered within the University’s governance framework.

“To protect students from legal jeopardy, disciplinary action, or public safety risks, students are strongly advised not to participate in demonstrations that do not comply with university regulations or the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491),” the statement said.

The two student bodies also urged students to rely on official updates from their communication channels, noting that negotiations with UGEL had yet to produce a conclusive agreement.

The disagreement over accommodation fees followed an initial proposal by UGEL to increase charges by 26 per cent across university-managed halls and enterprise hostels for the upcoming academic year.

However, student leadership, comprising GRASAG-UG, UGSRC and Junior Common Room (JCR) executives, rejected the proposal at a residence meeting.

Following subsequent engagements, UGEL presented revised increases ranging from 15 to 19 per cent, depending on room categories and facilities.

GRASAG-UG and UGSRC, however, remained dissatisfied with the revised rates, arguing that they did not sufficiently address the financial burden on students.

They said negotiations with UGEL were ongoing, as the parties had yet to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.

The two bodies further disclosed that the Office of the Dean of Students had held an initial meeting with representatives of the group organising the protest following reports of the planned demonstration.

Reaffirming their commitment to student welfare, GRASAG-UG and UGSRC said they would continue engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure that accommodation costs did not prevent students from accessing higher education.

“GRASAG and UGSRC remain fully committed to protecting student welfare and ensuring that no student is priced out of higher education,” the statement said.

They urged students to remain calm and exercise restraint while the recognised student leadership pursued negotiations.

The two bodies said further updates would be communicated as legal and institutional consultations progressed.