The president of Ghana is due for another honourary degree.

On Monday, July 29, 2024, the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) will hold a ceremony to confer an honourary doctorate degree on the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The special congregation is advertised to start at 10 AM, with the Cedi Auditorium, UHAS main campus, being the venue.

The Doctor of Science degree (honoris causa) to be conferred on President Akufo-Addo is in recognition of his significant contributions to science education in Ghana via his free senior high school (FSHS) initiative, championing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, and the completion of UHAS’ phase 2 expansion.

The phase 2 expansion was a Ghana-China collaboration, culminating in a US$60 million project, including the construction of the central administration complex, the largest school of nursing and midwifery in West Africa, and a fully equipped ultra-modern simulation centre. The project is expected to increase the university's student capacity by at least 2,500.

Mrs Maria Gwira, Director of Public Affairs, UHAS, announced in a statement the UHAS’ University Council had approved the decision to honour Mr Akufo-Addo for his inspiring leadership, making science education easily reachable to Ghanaians. 

"We extend our appreciation to the president and congratulate him on his well-deserved recognition," Mrs Maria Gwira said.

Mr Akufo-Addo, a lawyer, has been president for eight years since 2017. He is the fifth of Ghana’s fourth republic. He once served as Attorney General and Foreign Affairs Minister under President John Agyekum Kufuor.

The 12-year-old University of Health and Allied Sciences is in the Volta regional capital, Ho. Established by an Act of Parliament (Act 828), UHAS received presidential approval in December 2011, with operations beginning in September the following year with its first batch of 154 students.

Since 2022, Professor Lydia Aziato has served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences. Before her were Professor John Owusu Gyapong and founding Vice-Chancellor Professor Fred Newton Binka.