Name UDS after Rawlings — Haruna Iddrisu
The Minister of Employment, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for the University for Development Studies (UDS) to be named after President Jerry John Rawlings, for showing vision and selflessness in establishing the university.
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He said such an honour would be a befitting recognition of the former President’s vision and commitment to improving the human resource base of the country by the selfless act of donating money to build the foundation and structure of what had become one of the important public universities in the country.
Donation
President Rawlings donated the entire $50,000 of a personal international award to fund the set-up of the university in the late 1990s as a response to the developmental needs of the country and to bring the highest learning environment to the deprived surroundings of northern Ghana.
Subsequently, the school has established campuses in Wa in the Upper West Region, Navrongo in Upper East and Nyankpala in the Northern Region as offshoots of the original campus in Tamale, also in the Northern Region.
Speaking to students of the Wa campus of the UDS last Saturday at a forum, the Member of Parliament for Tamale Central said fomer President Rawlings's act was exemplary and should be duly recognised and remembered.
The academic forum was organised by the Development Communication Students' Association (DEVCOSA) of the university. Mr Iddrisu spoke on "communication and development in contemporary Ghana."
"I have said before and I will repeat it without fear of contradiction. I have advocated strongly and I think someday this university, in my honest view, must be dedicated to honour President Jerry John Rawlings.
Communication/media role
On communication and the role of the media, the minister said it was important to see "communication as an effective tool for development" given the relevance of the subject in the daily interactions among individuals, organisations and other identifiable social beings.
He said while the role of the media in the developmental process of the country could not be overstated, they could not assume unrestrained rights.
He indicated that while the independence of the media was guaranteed by the Constitution, there were no unlimited rights or freedoms and that rights and freedoms of the media were subject to national laws, stressing that “therefore, we cannot have a media which is unchecked".
That notwithstanding, Mr Iddrisu contended that the free and unfettered media landscape prevailing in Ghana today is unequalled in Africa.
“Indeed, there are more than 300 licensed radio stations across the country which gave meaning and expression to the commitment of the government to freedom of speech and freedom of expression as integral elements to the running of a democracy,’ he said.
The freedom of the media at all times must be guaranteed, but if the media ask us to be accountable, it must also be accountable," Mr Iddrisu stressed.
