Renaming UG after JB Danquah may happen one day - Akuffo Addo

After President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made a remark suggesting that the University of Ghana could be renamed in the future, the topic of renaming Ghana's most prestigious institution, which is currently known as the University of Ghana, once again sparked a variety of perspectives.

President Akufo-Addo presented the thought-provoking idea during the University of Ghana's 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service. The service marked the university's 75th anniversary.

The President paid tribute to both the role that J.B. Danquah played and the considerable campaigning that he led on behalf of the institution, saying that renaming it after Danquah would not be out of place.

It is quite appropriate and not in the least bit implausible to refer to Joseph Boakye Dankwa as the founder of this university.

"Indeed, in many other jurisdictions where there is less heat in their politics and more attachment to the fact that historical record should be preserved, it would not have been out of place to have this university named after him."

The discourse over renaming the university was initiated in 2021 when it was proposed by President Akufo-Addo to honour the memory of the late President Jerry John Rawlings by renaming the University for Development Studies (UDS) as well as a number of other institutions after him.

Many people voiced their disagreement with the move, stating that it was nothing more than a ploy to start the process of renaming the country's most prestigious university after the president's uncle.