Prof Emmanuel Addow-Obeng, Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has said that landlords were exploiting students for lack of hostel facilities at the university.

''It is sad that the university authorities cannot help since it cannot build additional accommodation facilities. It is equally difficult to cut down the number of qualified students who seek admission into the university.''

Prof Addow-Obeng said this in a speech read on his behalf at the launch of Asanteman Students Union (ASU) branch of the University in Kumasi at the weekend.

The Vice Chancellor said the objective of the union to build hostels for students was laudable and that the university would support it.

He said five to six students live in a room that is meant for one or two persons and this has put great pressure on the facilities at the university.

Launching the programme, Nana Osei Tutu Amofa II, Kronkohene of Kumasi who represented the Asantehene, said the universities and other tertiary institutions faced problems such as accommodation, teaching equipment and other user facilities.

''These are the areas that the government alone cannot bear it in view of other economic and social demands. There is therefore, a need for additional support from the private sector'', he said.

He commended the private organisations including the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), Unilever and individuals who have built hostels for students.

Nana Bright Asante-Appiah, President of the Union, said members have mobilised seed money of five million cedis for the three-storey hostel.

He explained that funds for the hostel, estimated at two billion cedis, would be raised by levying members in the university, organisations and companies in and outside the country.

Nana Asante Frimpong, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwabre, said it had been among the plans of the Asante MPs to start with the construction of hostels at the various universities in the country.