Demo breeds against Akufo-Addo UDS-Navrongo campus renaming

A group calling itself “Concern Citizens for Development” in Navrongo in the Upper East Region have served a public notice to embark on what they describe as a “massive peaceful demonstration” against the Akufo-Addo government for its plans to rename the University of Development Studies (UDS) campus in the town after the late C.K Tedam.

The protest, which is slated for Friday, October 18, is to mount pressure on Akufo-Addo to rescind his decision to rename the university after the late former chairman of the Council of Elders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“Members of the Concern Citizens for Development are organising a massive peaceful demonstration dubbed ‘DEVELOPMENT BEYOND RENAMMING’ in the Navrongo Municipality to protest against President Akufo-Addo’s declaration to rename the University for Development Studies, Navrongo Campus after C.K. Tedam”, the notice reads in parts.

President Akufo-Addo in June announced at the burial ceremony of C K Tedam, that the university will be renamed in his honour.

The announcement was met with fierce criticisms raising questions about the contributions of the late CK Tedam to the development of UDS, Upper East where the campus is situated and the nation at large.

But processes are already ongoing to make the university autonomous and various parliamentary processes have also been completed to rename the university C.K.Tedam University for Technical and Applied Sciences.

However, some indigenes do not appear to be enthused with the move as they say the president must be more concerned about the development of the town rather than renaming institutions, hence the plan to protest.

“Stop renaming of public universities after politicians: Focus on job creation, poverty reduction and livelihood improvement projects”, the theme of the demonstration reads.

The group intends to “present a petition to the President of the Republic of Ghana through the Municipal Chief Executive”.

Convener of the group confirmed to 3news.com they have notified all authorities to carry out the demonstration as planned.

What’s the position of the Navrongo paramountcy on the matter?

It is not exactly clear what the position of the Navro-Pio, Pe Asagepari II’s position is on the matter as there have been a controversy regarding comments he made to that effect in his welcome address to Akufo-Addo when the president was in Navrongo as part of his two-day tour of the region in August.

The speech, which was read on the Navropio’s behalf by the Chief of Mayaro, Pe Atudipaare Atudiwe Pwakweah Manchi III lauded the government for the honour.

“It is heart-warming that, the bill of C.K Tedam University for Technology and Applied Science has gone through the third reading passed and awaiting your signature, Mr. President. We are extremely grateful as a people, as a constituency and a region”, he said.

However, it later emerged that the speech was altered at the point of presentation as the script contained something different.

While the original script of the Navro-Pio had wished there was further consultation before the renaming of the university, the reader of the script expressed outright gratitude and suggested the people of Navrongo were happy with the renaming.