Deputy National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kamal-Deen Abdulai, has criticised the ongoing political debate over the proposed reversal of university names, describing the conversations as unnecessary and unproductive.

He said arguments between the NPP and NDC over which political figure universities should be named after do not contribute to improving higher education in Ghana.

Kamal-Deen was reacting to comments by the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, who disclosed that the Cabinet has directed a reversal of university names changed under the Akufo-Addo administration.

The directive is expected to restore the original names of some public universities, a move that has stirred mixed political reactions.

READ ALSO: All public universities renamed by Akufo-Addo to have names reversed, says Mahama Ayariga

Speaking on the AM Show, Kamal-Deen said the focus should be on educational development, not political symbolism.

“We’re looking for advancement. We’re looking for infrastructure for those institutions. We’re looking at moving forward,” he said.

“This idea of ‘I’m going to rename because someone did this’ and ‘I’m also going to rename because someone did that’ is neither here nor there. It’s not helping us. It is so petty, and we should spare the country this.”

He stressed that both the NPP and the opposition NDC are guilty of politicising national assets, calling for a shift to policies that enhance teaching, research, and student welfare.

Kamal-Deen urged leaders and policymakers to prioritise long-term educational progress. He added that citizens should expect reforms that strengthen universities rather than symbolic changes to their identities.

The debate is likely to continue in the coming weeks as Cabinet’s directive moves toward implementation and stakeholders, including university councils and alumni groups, weigh in.