Rent Control Commission needs more funding to function effectively – Acting Commissioner

Acting Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku has appealed to the government to provide adequate funding and logistics to enable the Rent Control Department to effectively carry out its mandate.

He said the department is currently operating with inadequate resources despite being responsible for rent-related matters across the country.

Mr Opoku disclosed that the department received only GH¢60,000 in funding for the first quarter and another GH¢60,000 for the second quarter to operate its 66 offices nationwide.

Speaking on Accra-based Adom FM on Thursday, September 17, Mr Opoku said the funding situation is making it difficult for the department to perform its duties effectively.

“GH¢60,000 to run Rent Control for three months. What’s the meaning of this? The Finance Minister and all of them should listen to this and act on it. This is the heart of the people," he said.

He questioned how Rent Control officials could be expected to operate across the country without adequate funding, office facilities and vehicles.

According to him, the department requires resources to enable its officers to move around the country and respond to rent-related complaints and disputes.

The Rent Commissioner said he had been in office for about eight months but had not received the resources required to effectively execute his responsibilities.

Mr Opoku also appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and the Finance Minister to take steps to address the situation, stressing that the Rent Control Department serves an important public interest.

“You don’t give them offices. Nothing. No vehicles. Nothing. How do you want them to function? We are not going to hide anything as a country because we serve the country, Ghana," he stressed.

He said adequate resourcing would also help him deliver on his plans and build a legacy during his tenure as Acting Rent Commissioner.