President John Dramani Mahama has congratulated NASA astronaut Christina Koch after it emerged that she once studied at the University of Ghana before rising to become part of the historic Artemis II mission.
In a post on X, Mahama said Koch’s journey from the “lecture halls of Legon to the Moon” was a moment of pride for Ghana. The astronaut studied at the University of Ghana as an exchange student during the 1999/2000 academic year.
He noted that during her time in Accra, Koch immersed herself in Ghanaian culture, studying courses including the History of Ghana, the History of Africa, Rural Sociology, Music and Twi for Beginners. Mahama also described her gesture of hoisting the Ghanaian flag in space as “a deeply touching moment for every Ghanaian”.
He added that Koch’s journey from Legon to the frontiers of space exploration should inspire young people across the country, saying it shows that “there’s no height that is insurmountable”. The message has since been widely welcomed on social media, with many Ghanaians joining in celebrating the astronaut’s achievement.
From the Lecture Halls of Legon to the Moon: Celebrating Christina Koch
I join the University of Ghana and the entire nation in celebrating NASA Astronaut Christina Koch on her historic membership of the Artemis II mission.
It is a point of immense pride to learn that… pic.twitter.com/GYipAIYAfq
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) April 9, 2026
