Ghana’s Embassy in Washington has voiced strong disappointment after Lincoln University abruptly withdrew plans to award President John Dramani Mahama an honorary doctorate.
The move came just hours before his scheduled visit on Thursday, March 26, reportedly over concerns about his perceived stance on Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely known as the anti-gay Bill.
The Embassy said the concerns were raised unexpectedly, despite earlier vetting and extensive engagement between the university and Ghana’s mission. Officials had conducted a full walkthrough of the visit just last week, finalizing all logistical arrangements. “It is both surprising and regrettable that such concerns have surfaced at this late stage, particularly with the President already in the United States in anticipation of the visit,” the Embassy said in a statement.
While respecting Lincoln University’s right to consult internal stakeholders, the Embassy stressed that the issues relate to ongoing legislative debates in Ghana and “do not reflect the unilateral position of any individual.” It added that President Mahama has consistently demonstrated leadership “grounded in democratic principles, respect for human rights, and inclusive dialogue on complex societal issues,” and expressed hope that the historic ties between Ghana and Lincoln University, including its association with Kwame Nkrumah, will guide a fair resolution.
