UG freshers frustrated over accomodation issues

Many new students who have been admitted to the University of Ghana, Legon, are still stranded since it is difficult to find accomodation.

Since school reopened about two weeks ago, the situation has left parents and students upset as they look for lodging at hostels on campus or nearby, making it difficult for the new students to actively participate in the orientation process that is presently taking place.

The institution has accepted 16,000 freshmen this year, but there are only 6,000 beds available, so those who cannot obtain accomodation must look for other options.

This week, a large number of students and parents lined up at the Commonwealth, Akuafo, and Legon halls of the institution to reserve available rooms.

Portal registration

Many of the impacted students and parents, who appeared to be stranded at the various halls, claimed that the portal system, which was supposed to be used to secure accomodation did not function and that it was challenging to register for the rooms online.

In addition, the parents and students said that when they attempted to complete the process manually, they were informed that the rooms were completely occupied.

Baba Rahman, a Human Resource student, claimed that despite completing all the procedures, he had been unable to find accomodation for the previous week, making it challenging for him to attend his orientation.

“I’ve come all the way from Sefwi Wiawso, so if I don’t get a room by the end of the week, I’ll have to drop out of school and reapply the following year,” he sadly said.

Mary Baidoo, a parent, revealed that her ward had been moving back and forth with their possessions for the previous week in the hope of finding a bed space, but to no avail because they were unable to access the portal to register for a room.

“I need to try hard to find a private hostel, which at the moment costs at least Gh7,000 in this economy, given the way things are going,” she said.

She urged the university administration to speed up work on the online registration system in order to guarantee a smooth distribution of rooms for new students.

“We are awaiting word from the school administration since we have been informed that there is an injunction prohibiting the registration procedure in this hall. If not, I will need to go daily from my house in Kasoa to attend lectures,” a Business Administration fresher, Michael Mensah said.

Sarah Adjei, a student in biological science, said she had mentally prepared herself to travel from home because of the current housing problems in order to avoid the stress it would cause.

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SOURCE: graphic.com.gh