Save us from unscrupulous landlords - Cape Vars SRC appeals

Cape Coast, Aug 15, GNA - Mr Musah Tahiru, the President of the Students' Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Cape Coast, on Monday appealed for assistance towards the construction of a 28 billion-cedi hostel it is planning to stem the exploitation of students by unscrupulous landlords and landladies.

He said the SRC has already raised two billion cedis for land and made preparations towards the proposed project which, when completed, is expected to accommodate about 3,000 students.

Mr Tahiru told the news conference that students who are unable to secure accommodation in the university are compelled to rent converted "hencoops and goat pens" at exorbitant charges of between eight and nine million cedis for a single room in houses without toilets or bathrooms.

He appealed to the Regional Rent Control Office to intervene and compel landlords and landladies to reduce the rents and also provide the requisite facilities since "most students are going through hard times, having to collect loans to pay their rent".

Mr Tahiru said the SRC was able to raise the two billion cedis through dues of 30,000 cedis and an annual levy of 50,000 cedis per student and appealed to organisations and individuals to come to the aid of the students.

He urged churches, GHACEM and financial institutions to support the project and said only 7,000 of the student population of about 14,000 have rooms on campus.