Why Lincoln University cancelled Mahama's honorary doctorate ceremony

GhanaWeb earlier reported that Lincoln University had cancelled an honorary doctorate ceremony for President John Dramani Mahama.

The event, scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, was to recognise Mahama for his global leadership and service to reparative justice.

Lincoln University cancels honorary doctorate ceremony for President Mahama

However, the university, in a new update on its website, attributed the cancellation to what it referred to as ‘unforeseen circumstances.’

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, the university is cancelling the visit from John Dramani Mahama, President of The Republic of Ghana, originally scheduled for Thursday, March 26,” the update read.

In a latest development, a press statement issued by the Embassy of Ghana in the United States, dated Tuesday, March 24, 2026, has linked the ceremony’s cancellation to LGBTQ+ concerns.

In the strongly worded statement, the embassy said an agreement had been made after prior engagements between both sides.

It further stated that officials from Ghana and representatives of the university conducted a full walkthrough last week and finalised all logistical and programme arrangements ahead of the visit.

“The visit, which includes the conferment of an honorary doctorate degree, honoris causa, had been agreed upon following extensive prior engagement between the University and the Embassy.

“Indeed, only last week, officials of the Embassy, together with representatives of Lincoln University, conducted a full walkthrough and finalized all logistical and programmatic arrangements ahead of the President’s visit,” it stated.

Expressing its disappointment and what it termed as “surprising and regrettable”, the embassy indicated that it later received communication from the university indicating that concerns had been raised by a group regarding President Mahama’s perceived position on Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which is currently before Parliament.

“It is therefore both surprising and regrettable that, just hours ago, the Embassy received a communication from the University indicating that concerns had been raised by a group regarding President Mahama’s perceived position on Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, currently before Parliament.

“The University has indicated that these concerns did not surface during its earlier due diligence and vetting processes prior to extending the invitation to President Mahama,” it added.

The Ghana embassy noted that the “timing of this development is deeply concerning, particularly as it arises after all arrangements have been concluded and with the President already in the United States, having arrived in New York in anticipation of honoring the University’s invitation.”

Ghana’s embassy insisted that the bill currently before Parliament on the LGBTQ+ community, subject to democratic debate, does not reflect the position of any individual.

“While the Embassy acknowledges Lincoln University’s right to engage its internal stakeholders and uphold its institutional values, we note with concern that the issues now being raised relate to ongoing legislative processes within Ghana, which are subject to democratic deliberation and are not the unilateral position of any one individual.

“President Mahama has consistently demonstrated leadership grounded in democratic principles, respect for human rights, and inclusive dialogue on complex societal issues. It is therefore unfortunate that these concerns have emerged at such an advanced stage, without prior engagement or clarification,” it concluded.

Lincoln University to confer honorary doctorate on President Mahama

The embassy said it remains open to dialogue and mutual respect, expressing hope that the longstanding relationship between Ghana and Lincoln University will guide a balanced resolution of the matter.



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