President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said although the late
former President Jerry John Rawlings rejected a move to rename the University
of Development Studies after him when he was alive, he feels strongly that the
time has come for to be done in his honour after his demise.
It is recalled that in 2019 Mr Rawlings asked the
Education Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh to withdraw that aspect of the
University Bill that was going to ensure that the UDS was named after him.
But Mr Akufo-Addo at a graduation ceremony at the UDS
campus in Tamale on Saturday, November 14, 2020, he is sure that majority of
Ghana in will back the decision to rename the University after the former
Ghanaian leader.
“The immense amount of work
undertaken by President Rawlings and his government resulted in the
establishment of this university.
“In 2017, I indicated to him through the Minister for
Education, Matthew Opoku Prempeh my decision to name this university after him.
“He respectfully declined the honour and offer
because of his principle not to have national monuments named after him.”
“Notwithstanding these sentiments, and with all due
respect to him, it is my strong belief, which I am sure has the backing of the
majority of Ghanaians that such an honour be accorded him,” he insisted.
Mr Rawlings died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra
on Thursday November 12.
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