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The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has accused the government of not going against the wishes of former President Jerry John Rawlings by naming the University for Development Studies (UDS) in his honor.
The Party’s wariness comes after President Akufo-Addo advocated for UDS to be named after Rawlings (the school’s founder) while addressing UDS parishioners at a graduation ceremony on Saturday.
The president acknowledged that although the former president rejected the offer, naming the college after Mr. Rawlings is an honor that should be bestowed upon him.
But in a statement signed by the PPP’s national secretary, Paa Kow Ackon, on Tuesday, he indicated the party’s concern over the president’s suggestion, referencing 2015, where the late former president rejected an offer for the Offshore Cape Three vessel. Points FPSO will be named after him.
In light of this, Mr. Ackon said it would be “inappropriate” for the President to go against Mr. Rawlings’ “long-standing principle” of “not having national monuments and facilities named after him.”
“To the extent that President Akufo-Addo may have the best intentions on this agenda, it is absolutely significant to note that it would be inappropriate for Mr. Akufo-Addo to ignore the wishes of former President Rawlings in this attempt to change the UDS name. after him, ”he added.
However, the National Secretary recommended that the nation focus on establishing museums and libraries for its former presidents “to preserve our history and serve as tourist attractions.”
He called on former heads of state to champion the cause by helping to raise funds to launch the project. They also recommended that Parliament initiate discussions on the issue.
“We recommend that Parliament begin a debate on a Presidential Records Act, which will oblige our presidents to hand over their documents, artifacts, memorabilia and other files to the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) for preservation and maintenance when they leave. The charge . “
Former President Jerry John Rawlings died Thursday at Korle Bu University Hospital after a brief illness.
