Fulfill the Naming of UPS After its Founder

Nana Opoku Ampoma, the Omanhene of Amoafo, Founded and Established, The Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) in Accra in 1965.

His main goal then, was to provide "Professional" Education and Practical training in Accounting, and other Business-related academic courses. He did very well.

In 1978, the government of Ghana "wrestled" IPS from Nana Poku Ampoma pursuant to the Institute of Professional Studies Decree, 1978 (Supreme Military Council Decree 200).

And, in 1999, the government of Ghana, by the Institute of Professional Studies Act 566 (Act 566), elevated IPS to the Tertiary level. It became a fully-fledged degree granting University in 2005. The IPS is now called UPS.... The University of Professional Studies. Its goals have expanded. Bravo, Omanhene of Amoafo, You are the real Oseadeɛyɔ. You are Kantamanto. You are Asuafoɔwura. Mo Opeafo, Daasebre .

Nana Poku Ampoma's dream of establishing an Institute devoted to educating and training Ghanaian and International students in Accounting, Management, and Business was accomplished. The sad reality is that the Founder has never been fully compensated financially for the takeover of his hard-earned investment. Others have profited and continue to profit from it. And regrettably His Name is not even mentioned in the school's internet platforms.

In 2018, President Nana Akuffo Addo, to much fanfare and acclaim announced at a gathering on the UPS Campus, that the University would be named after the Founder. It was the right call. But I correctly predicted in Articles I wrote following the announcement n 2018, that we may never see that come to fruition.

Nana Opoku Ampoma on his 95th birthday

A Bill was reportedly sent to Parliament for debate on the naming of some institutions after well-known Ghanaian figures. The only one amongst them who actually founded a University is Nana Opoku Ampoma.

Incredibly, the Bill was tagged with unrelated extraneous issues pertaining to conditions of service of University Teachers (UTAG). Partisan politics took over, and the Bill never received any serious consideration.

I can bet my last Gold Nugget that if Dr. J. B. Dankwa had actually financially "founded" a university as Nana Ampoma did, the dog whistle campaign by president Akuffo Addo would have materialized instantly. Yet the simple act to honour a living person, Nana Opoku Ampoma, who served Ghna immensely, languishes in the dustbin at President Nkrumah's Job 600 building.

And the NPP leadership in Parliament occupying Offices at the Job 600, remain oblivious to this tragedy. That includes the Memner of Parliament for Bekwai, whose Constituency includes Amoafu. and its traditionally dependent towns.

We are celebrating the birthday of Nana Opoku Ampoma. Is there a better gift to the glorious 95 years young Founder of UPS.

I urge the President, and All; to facilitate the immediate naming: Opoku Ampoma University of Professional. Whatever parochial political constraints, or provincial ethnic headaches; militate against the naming of UPS after the Founder, must be jettisoned.

The only sincere and fair act is to give the 95-year Sage Man his just due. He deserves his name being emblazoned at UPS in Accra, and not on some contrived edifice anywhere. Let's clear our consciences.

Dr. Kofi Ellison
@Asuowun, Amaseɛ