President Akufo-Addo has said he has been greatly motivated to name the University for Development Studies (UDS) after the late former President Rawlings following his demise.
Rawlings, who died on Thursday, November 12, 2020, is a key member in the establishment of the UDS in May 1992 which has campuses in the Northern parts of the country.
Although Rawlings had rejected earlier push to name the university after him, President Akufo-Addo is saying it has become imperative for the nation to commit something as significant as a university to the memory of the first president of the Fourth Republic of Ghana.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony at the Tamale campus of the UDS on Saturday, November 15, 2020, President Akufo-Addo said the university will still be named after Rawlings despite his earlier rejection.
“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.
Source: TheBBCghana.Com
