In a major development, the Government of Ghana has officially announced that the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho will be renamed the Professor John Evans Atta Mills University of Health and Allied Sciences.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, by Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, during the inauguration of the university’s newly constituted Governing Council in Accra.
According to the Minister, the renaming is a tribute to the legacy of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, who envisioned and championed the establishment of UHAS in 2011 as a premier institution to train healthcare professionals for national and global service.
“This is not just a name change,” Iddrisu stated. “It is a national recognition of Prof. Mills’ unwavering dedication to education and healthcare. Naming UHAS after him ensures his vision will continue to inspire generations.”
President Mills, who died while in office in 2012, is widely remembered for his humility, integrity, and profound belief in human development through quality education and accessible healthcare. His administration initiated the founding of UHAS to bridge the gap in healthcare delivery and professional training in Ghana.
Since its inception, UHAS has evolved into one of the country’s most respected institutions for health sciences, offering programs in medicine, nursing, midwifery, public health, and allied health disciplines.
Chair of the new Governing Council, Professor Kodzo Gavua, called the renaming “a deeply symbolic and fitting tribute,” adding that it is also a call to action for the university community to uphold the values of service, scholarship, and patriotism that President Mills embodied.
“The Professor John Evans Atta Mills University will not only bear his name but will strive to reflect his values in its academic and social contributions,” Prof. Gavua emphasized.
Reactions across the country have been overwhelmingly positive, with political leaders, academics, civil society groups, and students hailing the decision as long overdue. Many believe the renaming reinforces the need to commemorate national leaders through lasting, impactful institutions.
For many students, the name change adds emotional depth to their academic journey. “It feels historic,” said a final-year public health student. “Knowing that our school carries the name of such a principled leader is a source of pride.”
This move also aligns with Ghana’s broader efforts to honor leaders not only with monuments but with institutions that advance their ideals and contributions to national development.
