'He didn't ask for it' – Dr Apaak justifies President Mahama's honorary PhD award

Deputy Minister of Education, Clement Apaak, has mounted a strong defense for the Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Public Administration awarded to President John Dramani Mahama during his visit to South Korea.

He made the remark during the Culled Assurance meeting in Parliament on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, where he addressed questions raised by Jerry Ahmed, the Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe.

Apaak told the House that the issue had already been addressed earlier, but since it was raised again, he felt compelled to clarify the circumstances surrounding the award conferred on the president on March 13, 2026, by Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea.

“The honourable member's question is one that we subtly responded to earlier on, but since he has repeated it, I will respond. The president was awarded. He didn't go to ask for it, as far as I know. Once he didn't ask for it, I don't think there should be any qualms about that,” he said.

He further stressed that the recognition was not solicited by the president but conferred on him by the host country, and therefore, rejecting it would not have been appropriate.

“He was awarded, and as a gentleman as he is, I don't think it would be appropriate for him to say no. This is not an award that was given to him by a Ghanaian institution of higher learning, and so I don't see why there should be any difficulty with regard to the president receiving.”

The MP also placed the award in the broader context of international diplomacy, noting that it was tied to the president’s official duties abroad.

“Remember that he is in Korea on official duties. It is a state visit, and it is not unusual for visiting presidents to be recognised by the host state. So, I think that is within the context in which we have to view the honorary degree awarded to the president,” he added.

VKB/VPO