The Omanehene of Asante Akyem Agogo, Traditional Area Nana Akuoko Sarpong has instructed landlords in his land to reduce rent price, especially for university students on his land to help enhance the stay and safety of the students living in their house.
Nana Akuoko Sarpong made this pronouncement at the annual community sitting in his palace, indicating that the Presbyterian training college students, most especially, the second year are to vacate from the campus for the first years to take over the hostel.
Again, he stated that the people of Asante Akyem Agogo have worked so hard to see the school grow up to this far and can’t afford to lose the school to a different locality due to the high cost of the rent.
Nana Akuoko Sarpong has therefore called the Municipal heard pastor of the Presbyterian Church Rev Charles Baah Ankrah who doubles as the chairman for the local council of Churches to make an announcement to landlords through the various churches to reduce the cost of rent to enable the students to enjoy their stay.
The Agogo Manhene who spoke through his Akyeame Hene, Nana Boakye Yiadom said some landlords behave as dictators – lock up their gates preventing students who stay late on campus from getting access to the house. He hinted that this shouldn’t be done because it is a security threat risk to the students, especially the female students who become prone to rape or mob attack in the dark.
“Most of the students are forced to move to a different school due to the rent issues here in Asante Akyem Agogo – the cost of rent in Agogo is huge than that of Accra and Kumasi” he added.
He, therefore, called on all landlords and landladies to reconsider the cost of rent with immediate effect. He has this to say.