Renaming UG After JB Danquah Unacceptable – Clement Apaak Tells Akufo-Addo

Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee, Dr Clement Apaak, has described as unacceptable President Akufo-Addo’s statement that the University of Ghana(UG) could potentially be renamed after his relative and member of the ‘Big Six’ J.B. Danquah.

According to Dr Apaak, during his tenure, the president has tried to give his forebears a prominent place in Ghanaian history.

President Akufo-Addo hinted at the possibility as a tribute to J.B. Danquah’s role in galvanising the Ghanaian populace to establish the university.

President Akufo-Addo made these comments at the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the University of Ghana.

However, Dr Apaak has shot down the call saying renaming the university will not be necessary.

“Remember that J.B. Danquah belongs to the president’s family, and this is not the first time that we have picked up signals that if the president has his way, UG will be named after J.B. Danquah.”

“I believe that that ought not to be the case. There is a general tendency that we are witnessing where President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo has tried to eulogise his ancestry and to give his forebears a prominent place in Ghana’s history,” he stated.

The conversation about renaming the university began in 2021 after President Akufo-Addo suggested renaming the University for Development Studies(UDS)  after the late President Jerry John Rawlings to celebrate his legacy and other institutions after some Ghanaian personalities.

But many criticised the decision and said it was only a way to commence the process of renaming the UG after president’snt’s uncle.