Here is why Akufo-Addo is trending

Despite handing over power in January 2025, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo finds himself back in the spotlight.

This follows a series of politically charged developments that continue to shape Ghana’s public discourse.

Let’s take a look at three reasons why Nana Addo is trending once again.

1. The Anti-LGBT+ Bill

The Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill (the “Anti-LGBT+ Bill”) regained prominence on October 22, 2025 after the minority in Parliament questioned the delay in pushing the bill, despite the rigorous scrutiny the NDC caucus applied during the previous administration.

They recalled how pressure was put on the former president to assent to the bill after it was passed by Parliament in 2024.

However, after the change of government, they noted, there has been relative silence from the NDC majority in Parliament.

The new sponsors, led by the NPP caucus in Parliament, claim that if the legislation, which aims to impose significant penalties on LGBTQ+ activities, had been signed, it might have changed the outcome of the 2024 election.

See list of universities 'built' by NDC that Akufo-Addo has renamed

2. Reversal of names of institutions

Earlier in May 2025, the government, through Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, announced plans to revert the names of several public tertiary institutions in Ghana that were renamed during the administration of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The minister clarified that this move is part of a policy shift and is not intended to diminish the contributions of the individuals after whom the institutions were named.

A bill will be introduced in Parliament to formalise the reversal of the names. With Parliament resuming sitting on 22 October 2025, the bill is expected to be introduced.

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Among the institutions mentioned are:

Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (to be renamed back to University of Development Studies, Wa)

Ephraim Amu Technical University (to be renamed back to Ho Technical University)

Dr K. A. Busia University of Energy and Natural Resources (to be renamed back to the University of Energy and Natural Resources)

Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills and Entrepreneurial Development (to be renamed back to the University of Education, Winneba, Kumasi Campus)

George Grant University of Mines and Technology (to be renamed back to the University of Mines and Technology – UMAT)

3. Meeting with NPP presidential aspirants

On 21 October 2025, Akufo-Addo convened a breakfast meeting at his residence in Nima, Accra, with all five presidential aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The gathering, which brought together Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Dr Bryan Acheampong, and Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, focused on bolstering unity ahead of the party’s presidential primary scheduled for 31 January 2026.

Akufo-Addo urged the contenders to adopt issue-based campaigns and emphasized that his foremost commitment remains the cohesion of the party and its success in the 2028 elections.

ID/MA

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