Pressure is building on the Mahama administration to clarify its plans and timelines for renaming the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho after the late President John Evans Atta Mills, following months of silence since the government’s initial pledge.

Koku Anyidoho, Founder and CEO of the Atta-Mills Institute and a former presidential aide, has publicly pressed the government to fulfill a commitment made by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu.

The promise, announced during the inauguration of UHAS’s new Governing Council on May 28, 2025, was meant to immortalize the legacy of President Atta Mills, who is widely credited with establishing the institution.

Anyidoho noted that “Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, announced plans to rename the university in honour of the late president Atta-Mills for his instrumental role in the establishment of UHAS and his unwavering commitment to health and education in Ghana.” He pointed out the lack of progress since the minister’s statement, expressing the concerns of many within the public and educational sectors.

“As a matter of interest, just asking, the Government of today under President Mahama made a declaration much earlier that the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho will be renamed after President John Evans Atta Mills, who envisioned it out, cut the sod, and started its establishment.

“So, it’s just a matter of public interest that we are asking, obviously, there are processes that must be followed, and we are just asking what processes are being followed to rename the university after the late President,” he said.

A Legacy Intertwined with National Progress

Established by an Act of Parliament in December 2011 (Act 828), UHAS was a flagship project of the late President Mills, who prioritized investment in health and education throughout his administration. The university admitted its first batch of students in September 2012 and has since grown into a centre of excellence, now hosting over 7,000 students across its 10 schools and faculties, according to the latest figures from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

UHAS has made significant strides in training healthcare professionals, with nearly 3,000 graduates since inception, many of whom serve in rural and underserved regions. The university is also at the forefront of public health research, including Ghana’s COVID-19 response, further solidifying its importance to the nation.

Promise Yet to Materialize

Despite the public announcement, there has been no official publication of an Executive Instrument or gazette notification to formalize the renaming. There have also been no updates regarding planned ceremonies, consultations with the university’s stakeholders, or input from the Atta-Mills family and alumni.

Koku Anyidoho is urging for transparency and action. “And in good measure, in the national interest, just for the President and his Government to keep its promise, we are asking the legitimate question. And we hope and pray that what they have promised shall be fulfilled,” he emphasized.

He further called on the government to “provide clear timelines and details on when and how the renaming process will be completed, stressing that the legacy of the late president deserves prompt and genuine recognition.”

A Symbolic Gesture with National Resonance

Renaming UHAS after President Mills would follow a tradition of honouring Ghana’s leaders who have made transformative contributions to national development. Observers note that the late President’s vision for health education helped address critical gaps in the country’s healthcare workforce, especially in the Volta Region and beyond.

As the university marks over a decade since its founding, stakeholders, including students, faculty, and the Atta-Mills Institute, await concrete action from the government. The fulfilment of this promise, many believe, would not only celebrate the memory of President Mills but also reaffirm the government’s commitment to keeping its word on matters of national significance.