Ghana Embassy raises alarm over last-minute objections to Mahama’s Lincoln University honour

The Ghana Embassy in the United States has voiced concern over what it describes as last-minute objections by Lincoln University regarding a scheduled visit by President John Dramani Mahama.

The visit, planned for March 26, was intended to include the conferment of an honorary doctorate on the President. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Embassy indicated that the programme had been finalised following prior engagements and a full logistical walkthrough with university officials last week.

However, the Embassy said it subsequently received communication from the university indicating that objections had been raised by a group over President Mahama’s perceived position on Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, currently before Parliament.

According to the Embassy, university officials stated that these concerns were not raised during the earlier vetting processes that preceded the official invitation.

The statement emphasised that the visit was accepted in good faith following an invitation from Lincoln University, an institution with longstanding historical ties to Ghana, including its association with the country’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

The Embassy described the timing of the development as worrying, noting that all arrangements had been concluded and that President Mahama had already arrived in New York City ahead of the engagement.

While acknowledging the university’s right to engage its stakeholders and uphold its values, the Embassy maintained that the concerns relate to ongoing legislative processes in Ghana, which are subject to democratic debate and do not represent the position of any single individual.

The statement further noted that President Mahama’s leadership has consistently been grounded in democratic principles, respect for human rights, and inclusive dialogue. It described the emergence of the objections at this advanced stage as unfortunate.

The Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue and mutual respect, expressing hope that the longstanding relationship between Ghana and Lincoln University would guide a balanced resolution of the matter.