Francis Asenso-Boakye, the Member of Parliament for Bantama, has accused the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of trying to erase the achievements of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo by undoing the renaming of certain public universities.
He criticized the move, led by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, as a petty and unfortunate decision, expressing his disapproval in a Facebook post on Thursday, May 8, 2025. According to him, the reversal reveals desperation and reflects a lack of commitment to national development and unity.
“The plan to reverse the renaming of universities initiated under the Akufo-Addo administration is not only trivial but also a regrettable attempt to dismantle a former president’s legacy,” Asenso-Boakye said. He warned that such actions risk creating a cycle of political retaliation that could undermine national cohesion and long-term progress.
He emphasized that the universities were named to honor distinguished Ghanaians for their immense contributions to national development and that reversing such decisions would not only be disrespectful but could also have negative implications.
“These names were chosen to recognize outstanding individuals. Revoking those honors is both dishonorable and harmful,” he stated. He went on to argue that Ghanaians expect tangible progress like jobs, better education, and infrastructure—not symbolic political maneuvers.
Asenso-Boakye cautioned that if future governments keep overturning the policies of their predecessors, it could hinder the nation’s growth. “This endless back-and-forth will only delay our development. We must set aside partisan politics and focus on building a united and prosperous Ghana,” he added.
Background
The Mahama-led NDC administration has proposed restoring the original names of several universities that were renamed during President Akufo-Addo’s tenure. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu explained during a public forum that while the decision represents a policy shift, it is not intended to belittle the contributions of the individuals after whom the institutions were named.
Iddrisu clarified that he would present a bill to Parliament seeking to revert the names of institutions such as Dr. Abdullah Salifu Technical University (to Tamale Technical University), Simon Diedong Dombo University, C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences, and Dr. Ephraim Amu Technical University (to Ho Technical University).
He noted that consultations are ongoing with traditional leaders, academic communities, alumni, and civil society organizations, stressing that those who deserve national recognition will retain their national honors.
