The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) says President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s insistence on renaming the University for Development Studies (UDS) after the late former President Jerry John Rawlings is inappropriate.
President Akufo-Addo re-proposed the renaming of UDS after he died on Thursday, November 12, 2020.
The President at a graduation ceremony at the UDS campus in Tamale on Saturday, November 14, 2020, said it is his strong belief that the university should be named after Rawlings despite his earlier rejection.
“The immense amount of work undertaken by President Rawlings and his government resulted in the establishment of this university. In 2017, I indicated to him through the Minister for Education, Matthew Opoku Prempeh my decision to name this university after him. He respectfully declined the honour and offer because of his principle not to have national monuments named after him.”
“Notwithstanding these sentiments, and with all due respect to him, it is my strong belief, which I am sure has the backing of the majority of Ghanaians that such an honour be accorded him,” he insisted.
But the Presidential Libraries and Museums in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Paa Kow Ackon said the wishes of the former president should not be disregarded since he rejected the offer when he was alive.
“In as much as President Akufo Addo may have the best of intention in this agenda, it is absolutely significant to note that it would be inappropriate for Mr Akufo-Addo to disregard the wishes of ex-President Rawlings in this attempt to rename the UDS after him.”
“It is our considered opinion that we need to begin focusing on a tradition of encouraging the construction of Museums and Libraries for our Ex-Presidents and not allow the determination of same to be made through the patronage and benevolence of any sitting President.”
Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews
