By Daniel Bampoe
In a move that underscores the late President John Evans Atta Mills’ enduring legacy in education and healthcare, President John Dramani Mahama’s government has officially renamed the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho as the John Evans Atta Mills University of Health and Allied Sciences (JEA Mills UHAS).
The announcement was made by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu during the inauguration of the university’s new Governing Council at the Ministry of Education in Accra.
According to the Minister, the renaming is in honour of the late president’s “instrumental role” in the founding of UHAS and his unwavering dedication to improving Ghana’s health and education sectors.
“President Mills was not just a leader; he was a visionary whose work led directly to the establishment of this university. His belief in building institutions to serve the nation lives on through UHAS,” Iddrisu stated.
The late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, who served as President of Ghana from 2009 until his untimely death in 2012, was deeply committed to social infrastructure and human development.
One of his key initiatives was the establishment of specialized institutions to address national manpower gaps, particularly in health care.
UHAS, which was created by an Act of Parliament in December 2011, was one such project.
The university began operations in September 2012 with the mandate to train professionals in health and allied sciences to meet the growing health needs of Ghana and the sub-region.
The newly named JEA Mills UHAS remains Ghana’s first university solely dedicated to health education and research.
It has since expanded its academic offerings and physical infrastructure, attracting students from across the country and West Africa.
Chairman of the newly inaugurated Governing Council, Professor Kodzo Gavua, expressed the Council’s appreciation for the government’s decision.
He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to pursuing academic excellence while contributing to nation-building and public health outcomes.
“We accept this honour with deep humility and a renewed sense of purpose. Naming the university after President Mills is a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to this country,” Prof. Gavua said.
This symbolic gesture is expected to resonate with many Ghanaians, particularly those in academia and public service who continue to reflect on Atta Mills’ legacy of peace, humility, and dedication to national development.
