President John Dramani Mahama has finally reacted to the cancellation of his honorary doctorate ceremony by Lincoln University in the United States, which was reportedly linked to LGBTQ concerns.

Speaking to the Ghanaian community in Philadelphia, President Mahama emphasised the historic connection between Ghana and Lincoln University.

Lincoln University cancels honorary doctorate ceremony for President Mahama

“Lincoln University invited us, and I want to say that there's a historic link between Ghana and Pennsylvania. There's a historic link between Ghana and Lincoln University,” he said.

He described the institution as holding a special place in his heart, noting that his regard for it will not change despite any disagreements that may have led to the cancellation of the ceremony.

“Whatever disagreements have come up, for me, Lincoln University holds a special place in my heart because those are hallowed grounds for Ghana. It is part of our history,” Mahama added.

The president further highlighted Lincoln University’s role in shaping Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

According to him, the institution’s nurtured Dr Nkrumah and helped shape his view of Pan-Africanism and commitment to Africa’s liberation.

“We cannot divorce Lincoln University from the history of Ghana. That is where our first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, was nurtured with his intellectual capacity and his Pan-Africanist spirit and it was from there he took that spark and led the liberation struggle, not only in Ghana, but across the African continent,” he stated.

“And so, the grounds of Lincoln are hallowed grounds for Ghanaians, and will continue to hold that institution in high esteem,” he added.

The renowned university had, on March 19, 2026, announced that it would confer the honour on the President in recognition of his global leadership and service to reparative justice on March 26, 2026, at its campus.

“Lincoln University is proud to announce that His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana and the African Union’s Champion for Advancing the Cause of Justice and the Payment of Reparations, will receive an honorary doctorate from the university on March 26, 2026.

“This is coming in recognition of his outstanding contributions to public service, democratic governance, peaceful international and inter-African relationships, and global advocacy for justice, equality, and education,” portions of the earlier statement read.

However, in an update on its official website, the institution stated that it has cancelled the President’s visit, citing what it described as “unforeseen circumstances” for the decision.

“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 26th,” the updated statement read.

The cancelled event was also expected to highlight Mahama’s role in advancing reparatory justice globally.

Following the cancellation, a press statement issued by the Embassy of Ghana in the United States, dated Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 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.

Why Lincoln University cancelled Mahama's honorary doctorate ceremony

“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.

President @JDMahama says Lincoln University remains deeply respected and valued, despite its decision to withdraw an honorary doctorate earlier slated for him.

Speaking to the Ghanaian community in Philadelphia, he stated: “Whatever disagreements have arisen, Lincoln University… pic.twitter.com/slcxekUdfU

— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) March 27, 2026