President Akufo-Addo's ambition to one day rename the University of Ghana, Legon to JB Danquah University will meet stern resistance.

This projection is rightly so, as some Ghanaians have already registered their dissatisfaction with the name change for diverse reasons.

During the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the University of Ghana on August 11, 2023, President Akufo-Addo announced his intention to rename Ghana's premier university after Joseph Boakye Danquah.

He described Joseph Boakye Danquah, as the founder of the university owing to some contributions he reportedly made prior to its formation.

“And for me, the most poignant of those memories is the inestimable work Dr. J. B. Danquah did to mobilize the Ghanaian people to insist on the building of this university. It was the inspired leadership vision of this great scholar and nationalist, who’s described in his lifetime as the doyen of Gold Coast politics, that following the establishment of the Elliot Commission, tasked by the colonial government, to inquire into the possibility of establishing a university in West Africa, enable the Ghanaian people to reject the original decision of the British-colonial government based on the majority recommendation of the Elliot Commission that a single university be established in Ibadan, in Nigeria, for the whole of the then British West Africa, and got it to agree, through a series of passionate interventions in the then legislative council.

University of Ghana to JB DANQUAH UNIVERSITY! "Who knows... one day, it may well happen" - Pres Akufo-Addo pic.twitter.com/TYKxrPKR1t— roland walker👣 (@rowalkerghana) August 12, 2023

“And with the enthusiastic support of the founders of Ghana to the creation of a separate university for our country, on the basis on his minority recommendation. How felicitous was that decision and how greatly it’s contributed to the growth of modern Ghana. It would be wholly-appropriate, and not at all far-fetched, to describe Joseph Boakye Danquah, as the founder of this university. A fact, which on the 75th anniversary of its existence, should be vividly recalled by all of us who have been, and are the beneficiaries of his work.

“Indeed, in many other jurisdictions where there is less heat in their politics, and more attachment to the historical records, it would not have been put of place to have this university named after him. Who knows, one day, it may well happen,” he said.

But some Ghanaians believe that the move by the president is misplaced.

An elderly man bitterly complained about how influential Ga personalities have been sidelined despite their tremendous efforts.

He contested that as far as the tertiary institution sits on the territory of the La Traditional Council, the decision to rename the university after an "Akyem" will be fought.

"There are the Gas, Ako Adjeis, Ashini Kois, who made Cocoa Marketing Board what it should be and they have forgotten about it. Their names should be put on the University of Ghana. Ashini Koi, Ako Adjei, they come from La. The University of Ghana is seated on the La Traditional Council land and we shall never agree."

"Maybe he is dreaming. He was dreaming when he said so. Justice Olenus and others from La. How do you go to Akyem to bring somebody. We will not agree," he added.

A young man entreated the president to remain focused on providing infrastructural development as well as employment opportunities.

"One thing we need to know is that the most important thing is we fixing the roads, building structures to create employment. There are graduates who are coming out of school who are struggling and finding ways to get a better job. Changing the name of a university doesn't bring any benefit to us," he said.

A middle aged man shared similar sentiments. He said: "It will not make the economy better. All the leaders we have had come to meet challenges. None of them was able to solve all the issues. So the name change will not solve any problem."

A young lady who is currently unemployment urged government not to spend any funds to rename a university. She wants such funds to be used on projects that would be of benefit to Ghanaians.

He should just leave the name. So Presidents have died and we have not used any of those names. He should leave it. The money he will use to change the name can be used for something better. I just completed and I need work so he should use the funds for something better so we can all benefit from it.

Maybe he was dreaming. There are people from La where UG is. How do you go and bring someone from Akyem - Some Ghanaians react to the President's comment on renaming University of Ghana after JB Danquah#MetroNews pic.twitter.com/DA1GlXgSjh— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) August 14, 2023