17 Kumasi hostels closed down

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has closed down 17 hostels in the Kumasi metropolis for operating below standard.

The hostels which are all located at Ayeduase, a suburb of Kumasi, provided accommodation for hundreds of students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

The affected hostels are: Georgia, Sir Max, Amen, Anatina, Adona, Hopes, Orazon, White House, and C&D. The rest are: American, Eunivic, Nyame Mireku, Adoma, Asonsika, Mass,  Frontline and Ghana Hostels.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic after the exercise, the Ashanti Regional Manager of the GTA, Mr Ekow Sampson, said the  affected hostels  did not adhere to the specifications for the hospitality industry and had also not been licensed to operate.

“ All the affected hostels are yet to register with the GTA to operate such facilities. Besides, management of these facilities have not made any security arrangements to protect their clients; hence the numerous incidents of armed robbery and other criminal activities recorded in these areas,” he said.

“ We are going to extend this operation to all parts of the Kumasi metropolis, and will ensure that it is sustained. With this, we expect that all operators of hostels who have not registered will do so and also ensure that they operate within the standard requirements,” he noted.

By George Ernest Asare/Daily Graphic/Ghana