UGEL Must Go, Students Are Not Cash Cows — Legon Students Rise Against 15% Hostel Fee Hike

The students of the University of Ghana, Legon, have had enough. And on Monday, November 9, 2026, they showed it.

The Save Our University Movement, a student group at the University of Ghana, has called for the immediate dissolution of the management of University of Ghana Enterprises Limited (UGEL) and the abolition of the entity over a 15% increase in hostel fees for the 2026/2027 academic year.

That is not a small demand. They are not asking for a reduction. They are not asking for a meeting. They are asking for UGEL to go. Completely.

Why? Because to the students, UGEL has turned student hostels into a business. And students have become customers, not learners.

UGEL, which manages some university accommodation facilities, first proposed a 26% increase in hostel charges. 26%. Just like that.

After pressure, the university says it was reduced to 15% for rooms occupied by four students, and 19% for rooms shared by two students.

But the students say: 15% is still too much. 19% is still too much. And 26% was wickedness.

They say continuing students are already being charged at least GH¢5,000 for accommodation. And now they want to add more? Where are students supposed to get the money from?

Many Legon students are not from rich homes. Their parents are farmers, traders, teachers, drivers, market women. They struggle to pay school fees. They struggle to pay for feeding. They struggle to pay for books. And now they must struggle again to pay for a bed to sleep on?

The Save Our University Movement, together with Concerned Students of the University of Ghana and Students for Accommodation, marched under the theme “End Student Exploitation Now!”

Their message is clear: Education is not a business. A hostel is not a hotel. Students are not cash cows.

They say UGEL has been commercialising student housing. Instead of protecting students, UGEL is exploiting them. Instead of making life easier for students, UGEL is making life harder.

And that is why they want the management dissolved and the entity abolished.

Of course, the SRC and GRASAG-UG asked students not to participate in the demonstration. They said they were still negotiating. But the concerned students went ahead. Because for them, negotiation without action has not worked.

The university says there was engagement. The students say there was no real engagement. They say they were not listened to.

The students say the proof is in the fees. If they were truly listened to, why is there still an increase at all?

Their demand is simple: Dissolve UGEL management. Abolish UGEL. Return hostels to the university to be managed for students, not for profit.

Because if a student cannot afford a hostel, that student will sleep outside. If a student sleeps outside, that student cannot learn. If a student cannot learn, then what is the university for?

Legon students have spoken. They are not asking for luxury. They are asking for fairness.

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