Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, has announced it will confer an honorary doctorate on President John Dramani Mahama in recognition of his global leadership and service to reparative justice.

The ceremony is scheduled for March 26, 2025, at the university’s campus.

In a statement shared by the Ghana Embassy, Washington DC on Thursday, March 19, 2026, the university highlighted President Mahama’s contributions to democratic governance, peaceful international relations, and his advocacy for justice, equality, and education.

President of Lincoln University Dr Brenda A Allen also described the conferral as deeply symbolic, noting the institution’s historic ties to Ghana through its most famous alumnus, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

“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,” Dr Allen said in the statement.

The event will also look at Mahama’s role in advancing reparatory justice globally. He is expected to present a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly seeking recognition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade as a crime against humanity, a move first introduced before the African Union and the UN in 2025.

Mahama’s leadership record includes major infrastructure investments in education, health, aviation, rail, oil and gas, and ICT during his first administration.

He has also championed gender parity, appointing women to prominent roles and nominating Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang as Ghana’s first female Vice President in 2020 and again in 2024.

Associate Professor Gnaka Lagoke of Lincoln University emphasised the symbolic importance of the award, noting that it connects Ghana’s independence legacy with Mahama’s contemporary global advocacy.

Meanwhile, President Mahama, who currently serves as the African Union’s Champion for Advancing the Cause of Justice and the Payment of Reparations. has previously received honorary doctorates from universities in Nigeria, Scotland, and France.

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY (PA) TO CONFER HONORARY DOCTORATE ON GHANA'S PRESIDENT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA FOR HIS GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO REPARATIVE JUSTICE~~

.@GhanaMFA
.@JDMahama pic.twitter.com/PMYs3IU0n5

— Ghana Embassy, Washington DC (@GhanaEmbassy_DC) March 19, 2026