Lincoln University will confer an Honorary Doctorate on Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, on March 26, 2026, in recognition of his leadership, public service, and global advocacy for reparative justice.
This comes days after Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, conferred an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Administration on President John Dramani Mahama for his contributions to national transformation, economic development, and engagement with the global academic community.
The ceremony by Lincoln University, to be held at the university’s campus in Pennsylvania, will highlight Mahama’s role as the African Union Champion for Advancing the Cause of Justice and the Payment of Reparations.
It will also highlight his contributions to democratic governance and international cooperation.
“Lincoln University is deeply honoured to welcome President John Dramani Mahama to our campus and to bestow upon him an honorary degree in recognition of his distinguished leadership,” said Dr. Brenda A. Allen, President of the university, in a statement on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
She noted that the visit underscores the historic ties between the institution and Ghana, referencing its most famous alumnus, Kwame Nkrumah, whose legacy continues to shape Africa’s development trajectory.
Ahead of the ceremony, Mahama is expected to address the United Nations General Assembly, where he will present a resolution seeking global recognition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade as a crime against humanity—part of a broader campaign for reparatory justice.
Associate Professor Gnaka Lagoke described the honour as symbolic, linking Mahama’s advocacy to Nkrumah’s Pan-African legacy.
“This is happening at a pivotal moment… when the campaign for reparations… is at its culminating point,” he said.
Mahama’s recognition also reflects his domestic record, including infrastructure expansion across sectors such as education, health, transport and ICT during his first administration, as well as policies aimed at promoting gender equity.
Ghana achieved gender parity in basic education under his leadership, and his nomination of Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as running mate marked a historic step toward women’s political representation.
His re-election in 2024 made him the first Ghanaian president to return to office in a non-consecutive second term.
The university said the honorary degree aligns with its mission to promote education, social justice and leadership across borders.
The visit will also coincide with events marking the institution’s Black Freedom Conference, including a screening of The Eyes of Ghana, a documentary on Ghana’s independence struggle.
Lincoln University, the first degree-granting historically Black college in the United States, said Mahama’s visit would inspire students to see themselves as part of a global community committed to change.
