Julius Debrah awarded doctoral degree at UG Congregation

Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Julius Debrah, has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Museum and Heritage Studies at the University of Ghana’s 2026 congregation ceremony.

The Chief of Staff received the doctoral degree at the University’s Great Hall on Saturday, July 26, during the School of Graduate Studies’ congregation for the award of PhD degrees.

President John Dramani Mahama attended the ceremony alongside Chancellor Marietta Brew Appiah Oppong, Deputy Chief of Staff Stan Dogbe and other dignitaries from the Presidency.

A heartwarming moment unfolded after the conferment when Dr. Debrah embraced President Mahama, drawing applause and cheers from the audience gathered in the Great Hall.

According to comments shared online by South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Dr. Debrah’s principal supervisor, Prof. Kodzo Gavua, described the Chief of Staff as a model student who enrolled in the doctoral programme before assuming his current office.

“The Chief of Staff, Dr. Samuel Julius Debrah, enrolled in the doctoral programme and began his studies prior to his appointment. He was a model student with excellent time management skills and determination to complete the programme, despite his workload after his appointment,” Prof. Gavua stated.

He also revealed that Dr. Debrah was a fellow of the Remaking Societies, Remaking Persons (RSRP), a supranational research project funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, through which he undertook a six-month internship in Norway and participated in international seminars in Cape Town and Ghana.

Prof. Gavua noted that Dr. Debrah’s doctoral thesis defence attracted the University’s Vice-Chancellor and academics from different disciplines, adding that his academic achievement reflected dedication, simplicity and a commitment to lifelong learning.

“As his Principal Supervisor, I can say that we, faculty members and students of UG’s Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, are very proud of Dr. Debrah, who has been with us since his undergraduate studies,” he said.

Public policy analyst Dr. Kwame Mensah said the achievement strengthens the Chief of Staff’s public profile.

“The position of Chief of Staff is the operational heart of the Presidency. Dr. Julius Debrah’s elevated academic status, combined with his long-standing reputation as a pragmatic negotiator, provides the ruling government with a strong balance of high-level policy strategy and practical coordination across ministries,” he said.