Dr. Clement Apaak, the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa South, has stated that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s claim that the University of Ghana (UG) would eventually be renamed in honor of Joseph Boakye (J.B.) Danquah is unacceptable.
He disclosed that the President has made an effort to give his ancestors a significant role in Ghanaian history, while in office.
This comes after the President hinted that the esteemed University might someday be renamed in honor of J.B. Danquah in recognition of his unyielding resolve and crucial role in inspiring the people of Ghana to create the university. At the University of Ghana’s 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made these remarks.
The University of Ghana was established as a result of Joseph Boakye Danquah’s dedication to seeing that Ghana had its own institution, as underlined by President Akufo-Addo. Given the historical significance of his efforts, he called JB Danquah a visionary and suggested that his legacy would even justify renaming the University of Ghana in his honor.
However, Dr. clement Apaak responded that renaming the University will not be required. He said it should be kept in mind that JB Danquah was a member of the President’s family and that this was not the first time that many people has noticed signals that the University of Ghana (UG) would be named after JB Danquah, a well-known member of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s family, if the President had his way.
“I believe that ought not to be the case. There is a general tendency that we are witnessing where President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo has tried to eulogise his ancestry and to give his forebears a prominent place in Ghana’s history.”
Dr Clement Apaak
In addition, the President’s speech sparked a heated discussion on social media, particularly on Twitter, where many users voiced their opinions regarding the proposed renaming. Some are in favor of it because of Danquah’s historical significance, while others are against it because there are other methods to memorialize him that do not include renaming the school. The debate has demonstrated how politics, history, and identity are intertwined in public discourse.
Complete National Cathedral And Name It After JB Danquah
Also criticizing President Akufo-Addo’s proposal, Dr. clement Apaak said it was an effort to rewrite the nation’s history.
He therefore asked that the President hold off on his idea to rename the University after JB Danquah, until the National Cathedral is completed; where he can name it after J.B Danquah.
Additionally, he said that the President’s effort to change Ghana’s history in order to benefit his family will fall short. He declared in a tweet that the 2024 Presidential election would overturn the regime’s twisted history.
“Complete your cathedral and name it after him wai. Your agenda to revise the history of Ghana in favour of your clan is bound to unravel after January 7th, 2025. Ghana’s true history will be reinstated.”
Dr Clement Apaak
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