Lincoln University Calls Off Mahama Honorary Degree Amid LGBTQ Bill Concerns

Lincoln University Calls Off Mahama Honorary Degree Amid LGBTQ Bill Concerns

March 24,2026

Lincoln University has cancelled plans to confer an honorary doctorate on President John Dramani Mahama, just two days before the scheduled ceremony.

In a notice posted on its website, the university attributed the decision to “unforeseen circumstances,” cancelling Mahama’s visit slated for March 26, 2026.

However, the Ghana Embassy in Washington D.C. disclosed that the move followed concerns raised by a group over the President’s perceived stance on Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill currently before Parliament.

The Embassy described the development as “surprising and regrettable,” noting that it had only received communication from the university shortly before the cancellation.

It added that all arrangements for the visit had already been finalised, including a joint inspection of the venue by embassy officials and university representatives.

The decision has also sparked questions about the university’s vetting process, after it admitted the concerns were not identified during earlier due diligence prior to extending the invitation.

The honorary doctorate was intended to recognise Mahama’s contributions to public service, democratic governance, and advocacy on global justice and reparations.

Associate Professor Gnaka Lagoke of the university’s Pan-Africana Studies Department had earlier described the honour as symbolic, stating that Mahama “carries the Kwame Nkrumah mandate,” in reference to Kwame Nkrumah, an alumnus of the institution.

President Mahama is currently in New York, where he is expected to address the United Nations General Assembly on March 25, presenting a resolution on behalf of the African Union seeking recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity.

The university has not issued any further explanation beyond its initial statement.