The Acting Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, has publicly apologised to staff of the Rent Control Department for his previous criticisms of the institution.
Speaking in an interview on Dwaso Nsem on Adom FM, Mr. Opoku reflected on his earlier views about the department’s performance before assuming office, saying his perspective has changed after witnessing the challenges firsthand.
“In terms of resources, Rent Control is in a deplorable state. It is very bad and I don’t want to describe it,” he said.
Mr. Opoku admitted that before his appointment, he frequently criticised the department while serving as General Secretary of the National Tenants Union Association of Ghana for over a decade, even describing it as a “toothless bulldog” and “useless.”
“Today, let me use this opportunity to apologise to Rent Control and all their officers. I didn’t know what was inside; how they were suffering and ill-resourced,” he added, noting that he had not fully appreciated the extent of the department’s challenges.
He stressed that the difficulties faced by Rent Control reflect years of neglect and cannot be blamed on the institution alone. “If Rent Control over the years is not performing effectively, all governments should be blamed for the bad state of affairs.
They have failed woefully,” he said, adding that successive administrations have largely ignored the department, limiting its ability to regulate rent issues across the country.
Mr. Opoku emphasised the need for stronger support and adequate resources to enable the Rent Control Department to function effectively and address the challenges in Ghana’s rental housing sector.
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