Mahama Ayariga, has announced that Cabinet has directed the restoration of the original names of all public universities that were renamed after individuals during the previous Akufo-Addo administration.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the Bawku Central MP revealed that a bill will soon be introduced to formalise the reversal of these changes.
“Mr. Speaker, there has been a Cabinet directive to change the names of all the universities that were renamed after individuals back to the original names they were given,” Mr. Ayariga stated. “A bill will be brought to this House to change and reverse all the name changes of the universities,” he added.
The previous administration’s decision to rename several public universities and polytechnics in honour of notable national figures sparked considerable debate.
Among the affected institutions were the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa, renamed the George Grant University of Mines and Technology; Wa Campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS), renamed the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies; Navrongo Campus of UDS, renamed the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences; and Ho Technical University, renamed Ephraim Amu Technical University.
The renaming exercise was heavily criticised at the time by the then-opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), which argued the move was politically motivated, favouring figures associated with a specific tradition.
If enacted, the new directive will signal a significant policy reversal, aiming to depoliticise the identities of Ghana’s public universities and restore their original institutional heritage. The forthcoming bill is expected to spark nationwide discussion as it moves through Parliament in the coming weeks.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
