Gov’t to rename universities rebranded under Akufo-Addo

The government is preparing to introduce a new bill in Parliament that could reverse the names of several public universities renamed during former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration.

Among them is the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), which has faced public pushback over its current name since its establishment in 2021.

Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu announced this at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly constituted Governing Council of CKT-UTAS in Accra.

He explained that the renaming process forms part of a broader policy review of public universities nationwide.

According to the Minister, the changes aim to restore alignment with the founding visions and historical roots of these institutions.

“This is not to suggest that such individuals are unworthy of recognition,” he said, referring to those after whom the universities were named.

“Rather, the renaming is being proposed to ensure alignment with the founding principles and historical identities of these institutions,” he explained.

CKT-UTAS, established to provide students with technical and practical skills for the job market, has reportedly been hampered by infrastructure challenges.

The university’s name has remained a point of contention, with sections of the academic and local community expressing their dissatisfaction.

Haruna Iddrisu added that extensive consultations have been held with traditional leaders, university stakeholders, student bodies, and civil society organisations.

The upcoming bill will provide the legal basis to carry out the proposed name reversals across all affected institutions.

If passed, the bill could reshape the identity of several universities across Ghana, marking a significant shift in education policy under the current administration.