Flooded ‘Hostels’ Render Students Homeless in Adabraka

By Deborah Afful

May 30, 2022. ACCRA. Students in hostels around Asylum Down-Adabraka-Circle areas in Accra have lost property and missed classes due to the recent rains that hit the capital. According to students from African University College of Communications (AUCC), Accra Technical University (ATU) and University of Ghana Accra City Campus (UG-A), the heavy downpour has caused indiscriminate flooding that has triggered emergency evacuations from their various rooms. Many now seek shelter in nearby motels.

Most of these “hostels” are mere rooms in residential houses that have been converted into boarding spaces for students without adequate facilities and amenities.

In a tearful interview at Niagara hotel at Circle where she’s residing temporarily, Daniella, a student of ATU, said she had to leave her room at Asylum Down which she shared with three other students because the floods had made it uninhabitable.

“Most of us come from other regions like Central, Ashanti and the Eastern regions. Those who do not have money are homeless and because they cannot go back to their respective homes. Some don’t even have their cell phones to call home and report their current situation”.

For those who have no money to move, the only choices left are to perch with friends or remain in their flooded spaces thereby missing lectures and staying days without food.

Means of transport to the three main university campuses in the area – AUCC, UG-A and ATU – has also become a challenge for students. Private commercial drivers have increased fares following the heavy downpour.

“The usual fare from my hostel at Adabraka Sahara to my campus in UG-A is between Gh8.00 and Gh11.00 via Bolt, On Tuesday they were asking for Gh25.00 which is ridiculous”, Jennifer said.

Above all these, with schools nearing vacation, hostel managers have asked students to vacate their rooms. In the past, L300 students were allowed to stay to undertake their three-month compulsory practical attachment which is part of the fulfilment of their degrees. According to the managers, students will not be allowed to stay over for their internship “because they pose a threat of theft to other students who may have left their belongings in the hostel”, said Mr. Allotey, a “hostel” manager in Asylum Down.