Mahama to receive another honorary doctorate over reparative justice fight

John Dramani Mahama will receive an honorary doctorate from Lincoln University on March 26, 2026, for his reparative justice advocacy.

The recognition, announced by the university, highlights Mahama’s global campaign for justice, particularly his push for acknowledgment of the Transatlantic Slave Trade as a crime against humanity and the pursuit of reparations.

President of Lincoln University, Brenda A. Allen, underscored the significance of the award, linking it directly to Mahama’s leadership on justice issues.

“His visit is especially meaningful. President Mahama’s presence at Lincoln affirms the powerful and historic connection between our institution and the Republic of Ghana,” she said, emphasizing the broader global impact of his work.

The university also tied the honour to its historic relationship with Kwame Nkrumah, an alumnus whose legacy continues to shape Pan-African thought and independence movements.

Mahama’s recognition is being framed as part of that continuum of leadership grounded in justice and liberation.

Chair of the Pan-Africana Studies Department, Gnaka Lagoke, directly referenced Mahama’s reparations campaign as central to the honour.

“It is happening at a pivotal moment in President Mahama’s advocacy work on the international stage… the campaign for reparations of which he is the standard-bearer is at its culminant point,” he said.

Ahead of the ceremony, Mahama is expected to address the United Nations General Assembly, where he will present a resolution seeking global recognition of the slave trade as a grave crime.

The proposal, first introduced in 2025, has been described by African leaders as a major step toward securing reparatory justice.

The latest honorary doctorate adds to a growing list of international recognitions for Mahama, who returned to power in 2024 as Ghana’s first democratically elected leader to secure a non-consecutive second term.

His administration has previously been credited with major infrastructure expansion and social interventions, including progress toward gender parity in education.

The award ceremony will coincide with activities at Lincoln University’s Black Freedom Conference, further amplifying themes of historical justice and African identity.