The government has signaled its intention to revert several public universities to their original names, a move that marks a significant policy reversal from changes enacted under the previous administration.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, announcing the shift, said the renaming of the universities would be formalized through a new bill to be presented before Parliament. The proposal comes as part of a broader effort to realign institutional identities with regional heritage and historical context.
“There is a policy shift, and there will be changes to some of the university names. This is not an attempt to discredit the contributions of any statesman,” Mr. Iddrisu said, stressing that national honors bestowed on deserving individuals would remain unaffected.
The minister was speaking at the inauguration of the Governing Council of the Dr. Abdulai Salifu Technical University in Accra—formerly Tamale Technical University—where he confirmed the institution would revert to its former name.
He noted that similar changes would affect institutions like the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), the Simon Diedong Dombo University for Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS), and the Ephraim Amu Technical University.
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Stakeholder consultations are currently ongoing with traditional leaders, alumni, students, academia, civil society organizations, and other interest groups.
Repositioning Technical Education
Mr. Iddrisu urged the newly constituted council, chaired by Mandori Wura Alhaji Seidu Iddi, to prioritize restoring harmony and academic excellence at the Tamale Technical University. He described the university as having “the most strike-prone record,” largely due to internal conflicts.
He called for a renewed focus on engineering, technology, and vocational training, which he said would play a vital role in realizing President Mahama’s proposed 24-hour economy.
“The 24-hour economy will thrive only if we produce an entrepreneurial class that is not dependent on public employment,” the minister said, adding that technical universities must become the backbone of national productivity and innovation.
Funding and Infrastructure Commitments
In support of technical education, Mr. Iddrisu disclosed plans to establish a dedicated fund for technical and vocational education under the Mahama administration. He also mentioned upcoming GETFund allocations to support infrastructure for newly created universities.
“We are working hard to ensure the technical universities receive the resources and attention they deserve,” he stated.
Strengthening Industry Links
Council Chair Alhaji Iddi, in his response, expressed gratitude to the President for the appointment and pledged the council’s commitment to institutional growth. He appealed for incentives to be extended to industries that offer student internships, noting that such partnerships are vital for bridging the gap between academia and industry.
Full Council Composition
The 19-member council includes Vice-Chancellor Professor Bashiru Imoro Ibn Saeed, presidential nominees, and representatives from key sectors including the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, the Association of Ghana Industries, academia, staff unions, alumni, and student bodies.
The government’s proposed name reversals have drawn mixed reactions, with supporters citing the need to preserve institutional heritage, while critics argue that frequent renaming may undermine national unity and create administrative confusion. The bill is expected to be laid before Parliament in the coming weeks.
