The Acting Rent Control Commissioner Fredrick Opoku has expressed frustration over the continued charging of rents in US dollars, questioning why state institutions responsible for regulating the practice are not working together to address the problem.
Speaking with Austin Woode on Starr FM, Fredrick Opoku said the Rent Control Department has raised the issue with the Bank of Ghana and expects stronger collaboration to ensure that landlords and other entities comply with regulations governing rent payments.
He said institutions must work together to address the practice, particularly at a time when people are complaining about the high cost of rent.
He explained that the Rent Control Department had previously approached the Bank of Ghana to work together on the matter, but questioned whether the institution had responded adequately.
“When we went there and we wanted to work together, have they responded back? We sent our a proposal. Have they replyed ” he asked.
The Commissioner said the issue requires cooperation among state institutions, stressing that the Bank of Ghana has a mandate to ensure that rent-related issues are properly regulated.
“You see, sometimes i don’t talk about these things”. somehow frustrating when state institutions like Bank of Ghana, is to ensure that people don’t charge dollars,” he said.
He further disclosed that the Rent Control Department had asked the Bank of Ghana to collaborate on the issue.
“Today you see the governor of Bank of Ghana issuing the letter, you know what he means, and people are charging dollars. Instead of us collaborating and working together, I believe in collaboration,” he said.
He also called for stronger cooperation among state institutions, citing the need for institutions to work together to address issues affecting the public.
“Institutions ought to work together,” he stressed.
The Commissioner said the continued charging of rents in dollars is contributing to concerns about the economy and questioned why the practice persists despite directives intended to stop it.
“Go and ask them. Their rent is still going high. I send a proposal. That people are complaining about dollars. It is even giving problem to the economy,” he said.
He maintained that enforcement is necessary if the authorities want to stop landlords and other entities from charging rents in dollars.
“If you don’t enforce it, how do you expect people to stop doing this?” he asked.
He further described the situation as unacceptable, stressing that institutions must take responsibility and work together to address the concerns surrounding rent charges
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Pamela Quayson
