By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
Former Minister of Education and New Patriotic Party (NPP) 2024 vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has taken a swipe at the government over its approval of legislation amending the names of three public universities, describing the move as selective and discriminatory.
Speaking at the 8th edition of the “Opɛmsuo Lecture” organised by the Asante Professional Club in Kumasi, Dr. Opoku Prempeh questioned the rationale behind renaming C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, and Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, while leaving the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) unchanged.
According to him, the decision raises serious concerns about fairness and consistency in how national recognition is accorded to individuals who have contributed significantly to Ghana’s development.
“We wake up and they say they have changed the names of some schools, but for KNUST, they do nothing, and you can’t understand it. It feels like discrimination,” he stated.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh argued that there is nothing inherently wrong with naming public institutions after distinguished personalities, particularly those who played key roles in advancing education and national development. However, he insisted that such recognition must be applied evenly and without political selectivity.
He further questioned why Kwame Nkrumah continues to enjoy exclusive recognition through the naming of KNUST, while other notable contributors are subjected to reversals.
“I do not see why a university can be named after Kwame Nkrumah while other contributors cannot receive similar recognition,” he added.
The former Education Minister also expressed concern over what he described as the silence of civil society organisations, education-focused advocacy groups, professors, and opinion leaders on the issue, noting that their voices are critical in shaping national discourse on education policy.
Drawing on his experience in government, Dr. Prempeh emphasised that the naming of institutions is backed by law and historical precedent.
“I have been in the Education Ministry before, so I know what I am saying. It was Act 80 that allowed us to name the Tech University after Kwame Nkrumah, and that was during the CPP government,” he explained.
He cautioned that the frequent renaming of public institutions by successive governments could undermine continuity and national cohesion, particularly within the education sector. According to him, such actions risk erasing important aspects of Ghana’s history rather than preserving it.
“The current move appears to be an attempt to cut some portion of the country’s history. In Ghana, it seems some people want us to start our history from 1979,” he claimed.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh concluded by urging policymakers to prioritise national unity and historical balance when making decisions that affect public institutions, warning that politically motivated changes do little to advance the country’s long-term development goals.
