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THE OLD Tafo Constituency Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abubakar Umar Alhassan has called on President Mills to rename the University of Development Studies (UDS) after former President Rawlings. Judging from the special roles the former president played in making the creation of the university a reality, he said it would be appropriate for the state to name the UDS after him. Abubakar Alhassan aka �Abu National� proposed that the name UDS be changed to �Rawlings University for Development Studies,� noting �it will be an honor to his name and also show that Ghana does appreciate his contributions to national growth.� In an exclusive interview with Daily Guide, the thirty four year old politician who will be contesting the area�s parliamentary seat on his party�s ticket said Mr. Rawlings deserved more commendation for his role and efforts in transforming Ghana. He argued that the best legacy that Ghana as a country could bequeath to former President Rawlings for his roles in deepening democratic rule in the country is by naming a university after him just as KNUST has been named after Ghana�s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. According to him, Rawlings was the first Ghanaian leader to bring real development projects to the three northern regions, adding that before him, the northern region had been virtually neglected. �Former President Rawlings donated a huge cash sum which was given to him for wining an international award to start the UDS.� He added that �considering Mr. Rawlings� personal contributions and roles in the establishment of the university, I am more than convinced that every Ghanaian will side with me to name the UDS after Mr. Rawlings.� Mr. Rawlings has for the past three decades and over exhibited true patriotism and played leading roles in making Ghana, especially the north what it is today, he said. The KNUST graduate with a Bsc in Environment and currently the National Youth Employment Coordinator for Tafo promised to win the Tafo seat for the NDC in 2012. According to him, he has concluded talks with opinion leaders of the area and they have promised to support his candidature to enable him transform Tafo which is now retarding in growth. He said he would win hands down the Old Tafo NDC primary which takes place in about two months and go ahead to defeat the NPP candidate and incumbent MP, Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei. Alhassan who is currently pursuing his Master�s degree in International Leadership online at the University of Liverpool said, the MP had failed woefully in terms of development due to lack of effective leadership. He promised to embark on a human centered campaign to win the Tafo seat for his party in 2012, assuring, �as MP I will display leadership that will represent the people.� Abubakar Alhassan said he would implement policies to solve the myriad of problems confronting the people adding �Dr. Akoto as MP has failed in this direction.� As NYEP, he has recruited 468 people from Tafo into the programme to help reduce unemployment in the area. As MP, he would implement policies and programmes that would enable Tafo become a better place to live in. According to him he would not be an MP for any particular political party or people but rather an MP for all Tafo residents irrespective of their political affiliation.