Renaming UG after JB Danquah unacceptable – Clement Apaak
Dr. Clement Apaak, the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee, has expressed strong dissatisfaction with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s suggestion that the University of Ghana could potentially be renamed after Joseph Boakye (J.B.) Danquah.
Dr. Apaak argues that this suggestion is unacceptable, particularly considering the President’s inclination to highlight the significance of his forebears in Ghanaian history.
The President made this statement during the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the University of Ghana, hinting that renaming the institution in honor of J.B.
Danquah could be considered as a tribute to his pivotal role in the establishment of the university.
However, Dr. Apaak believes that renaming the university is unnecessary and may be influenced by the President’s familial ties to J.B. Danquah. He highlights a perceived trend of President Akufo-Addo emphasizing the importance of his ancestry
and giving his forebears prominent positions in Ghana’s history.
Dr. Apaak’s comments reflect a broader concern about the potential politicization of historical naming decisions, particularly when there are familial connections to
the figures being considered for such honors. The debate surrounding the renaming of institutions often involves a delicate balance between honoring historical
figures and ensuring inclusivity and a broader representation of the country’s history and contributions from various individuals and groups.
