Akufo-Addo applauds renaming Ho Technical University after Ephraim Amu

President Nana Akufo-Addo says the decision by the Governing Council of the Ho Technical University to rename the institution after the great Ghanaian cultural icon, Dr. Ephraim Amu, is an excellent one, which has received his blessings.

According to President Akufo-Addo, once the parliamentary process has been completed, the University will, thereafter, be called the Ephraim Amu Technical University, Ho.

“It is wholly fitting that this great, modest man, composer of what easily passes for our unofficial national anthem, Yen Ara Asase Ne, should be properly honoured by a grateful posterity, and, especially, by citizens of his native Volta Region,” the President said.

He said this on Saturday when he delivered a speech at the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Ho Technical University at Ho.

In February this year, the Governing Council of the University, in a letter to the Education Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, stated, amongst others, that “Dr. Ephraim Amu’s contributions to society and national development have been acknowledged and acclaimed worldwide.”

As such the “Council is happy to recommend to Government that Dr. Ephraim Amu’s name be adopted for Ho Technical University.”

In his remarks, President Akufo-Addo noted that the late Dr. Ephraim Amu “taught us that we do not have to wear a European-cut suit to be a scholar, we could wear a fugu, kente and above all, a locally woven fabric, and still be an educated person.”

He indicated further that the renowned composer insisted that one did not have to eat foreign foods because he or she was a scholar, and he insisted that Ghanaian music was as interesting and sophisticated as any around the world.

“Those were radical ideas for the time. I am sure that you can appreciate what a special moment it will be for me to be the President who will have the privilege to assent to this decision. Long may we cherish his memory!” the President added.