Former President Jerry John Rawlings has rejected an offer
to rename the University of Development Studies (UDS) after him.
In a statement signed and issued on Tuesday April 9, by
Kobina Andoh Amoakwa from the Communications Directorate of the former
President’s office, Mr Rawlings stated he has taken note of publications in the
media on a proposed Universities Bill to be submitted to Parliament.
“The former President has taken particular note of the plan to re-name
four universities after eminent Ghanaian personalities, including the naming of
the University of Development Studies (UDS) after him.”
It explained when the proposal for the naming of the UDS was first brought to
the former President’s attention by the Education Minister in 2017, he thanked
the President and the government for the honour, but politely declined the
offer because he had a long-standing principle not to have national monuments
and facilities named after him.
“Indeed in November 2015 when the then government of the day offered to
name the Offshore Cape Three Points Floating, Production, Storage and
Offloading (FPSO) vessel after him he turned down the offer as well,” it
added.
It said Mr Rawlings has since the publication of the details of the new bill to
be tabled to Parliament written to the Minister of Education to reiterate his
position and kindly requested that the re-naming of UDS after him be withdrawn
from the Draft Bill to be submitted to Parliament.
This is the second time the former president is rejecting the idea to name the UDS after him. the first time was during President JA Kufuor tenure when the then council chair and former Managing Director of the National Investment Bank, Daniel Gyimah called off a much publicized event by the university, which many felt outraged for the embarrassment caused Mr. Rawlings who was pivotal in the establishment of the UDS.
