Parliament Approves New Names for Three Universities Renamed Under Akufo-Addo
Parliament has given approval for the names of three public universities in Ghana to be changed. This decision removes the names of political figures that were added during the time of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The approval was done on Friday, December 19, 2025, during a sitting of Parliament. Lawmakers passed three different bills to officially change the names of the universities back to simple and descriptive ones that reflect what the schools were created to do.
The universities affected by the decision include the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies in Wa. This school will now be called the University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, Wa.
Also affected is the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Navrongo, which has been renamed the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Navrongo.
The third institution is the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development in Kumasi. It will now be known as the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Kumasi.
The current government, led by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), had earlier announced plans to reverse the renaming of some public institutions. According to the government, attaching the names of political personalities to state universities makes the institutions look politically biased.
The NDC explained that the people whose names were removed are linked to the Danquah-Busia-Dombo political tradition. These include Simon Diedong Dombo, C.K. Tedam, and Akenten Appiah-Menka, who were all respected figures in politics and business.
President John Dramani Mahama’s government believes that public universities should remain neutral and free from political influence. They argue that simple names based on the schools’ purpose are better for national unity and academic freedom.
Before the bills were laid in Parliament, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, and the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, said there were wide consultations. These discussions involved school authorities, traditional leaders, old students, and civil society groups.
Some Members of Parliament welcomed the decision, saying it helps remove politics from higher education. However, members of the Minority from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) disagreed. They described the move as an attempt to erase the achievements of the previous government and disrespect people who contributed to national development.
The new university names will take effect immediately after they are officially published. The schools are expected to update their signs, logos, and official records to reflect the changes.
