Lincoln University cancels Mahama’s Honorary Degree over Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ bill

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Lincoln University cancels Mahama’s Honorary Degree

The Ghana Embassy in the United States has expressed disappointment following Lincoln University’s decision to cancel the conferment of an honorary doctorate degree, honoris causa, for President John Dramani Mahama.

According to the Ghana Embassy in the United States, the university’s decision was communicated just hours before the scheduled visit on Thursday, March 26.

The Lincoln University decision is alleged to be based on  President Mahama’s perceived position on Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-gay Bill currently before Parliament.

The Ghana Embassy in the United States explained that no concerns were raised during the university’s due diligence and vetting processes.

Part of Ghana’s Embassy statement read, “It is both surprising and regrettable that such concerns have surfaced at this late stage, particularly with the President already in the United States in anticipation of the visit”.

It will be recalled that Lincoln University had earlier announced on March 19, 2026, that it would be conferring the honour on the President for his global leadership.

Portions of Lincoln University’s earlier statement read, “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.”

“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.

However, in another update, Lincoln University’s official website stated that it has cancelled the President’s visit, citing what it described as “unforeseen circumstances” for the decision.

The update read, “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”.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has made a definitive statement on the pending anti-LGBTQ bill legislation, declaring that he will assent to the bill if it is passed by Parliament.

According to John Mahama, a person’s gender is determined at birth, adding that the family is the foundation of our nation.

He added that there is no question what Ghanaians believe in.

Speaking to leaders of the Christian Council of Ghana in Accra on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, President Mahama stated, “We agree with the Speaker to relay the bill and let Parliament debate it, and then if there are any amendments or whatever that have to be done. If the Parliament of the people of Ghana endorses the bill, votes on it, and passes it, and it comes to me as President, I will sign it”.

“A person’s gender is determined at birth, and the family is the foundation of our nation. That is our position. So, there are no questions or equivocations about what we believe,” President Mahama noted.

He added, “We agree with the Speaker to relay the bill and let Parliament debate it, and then if there are any amendments or whatever that have to be done”.

Also, the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, has been laid before Parliament for consideration for a second time.

On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, following its First Reading, Speaker Bagbin referred the bill to the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee for further scrutiny and reporting.

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