The Acting Rent Commissioner of Ghana, Fredrick Opoku, has warned landlords against illegal evictions and acts of intimidation against tenants over rent disagreements.
According to him, landlords who forcibly eject tenants or remove roofing sheets from occupied rooms without following legal procedures could face imprisonment.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme, Mr. Opoku described such actions as criminal offences and violations of human rights.
“Any landlord who attempts to remove a roof because of rent issues with a tenant is a candidate for jail,” he stated.
He stressed that the Rent Control Department under his leadership would adopt zero tolerance toward what he called “self-evictions” carried out by landlords.
“I want us to reflect on the fact that there is a Rent Commissioner who believes that zero tolerance for self-evictions will not be allowed. It is criminal,” he said.
Mr. Opoku further cautioned that any landlord reported for unlawfully ejecting tenants, locking up rooms, or damaging parts of rented accommodation could be prosecuted.
“Any landlord who makes an attempt and the report comes to my table that you have gathered the capacity to remove someone, you would go to jail,” he warned.
He added that tenancy disputes must be resolved through lawful procedures, noting that Ghana’s tenancy laws recognise statutory tenancy rights and provide clear legal processes for landlords and tenants.
“It is an abuse of human rights. Why would you jam a tenant’s room or remove his roof because he is not paying? It’s a high crime,” he added.
