The Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda and former Deputy Minister of Health, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has questioned President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to accept two honorary doctorate degrees, citing his previous criticism of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over similar honours.
Speaking on UTV’s “Adekye Nsoroma” morning show on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Mr Acquah said Mr Mahama had previously argued that a sitting president should wait until leaving office before accepting honorary academic awards.
His comments follow President Mahama’s receipt of two honorary doctorates from Russian universities on Tuesday, October 27, during his official visit to Moscow for the 3rd Russia–Africa Summit.
The development has revived debate over Mr Mahama’s earlier position on honorary degrees and whether it is consistent with his decision to accept the latest awards while serving as President.
President Mahama received the two honorary doctorates from the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), also known as Patrice Lumumba University, and the Russian University of Transport (RUT MIIT).
RUDN University conferred a Doctor Honoris Causa degree on him in recognition of his leadership, commitment to international solidarity, support for access to education and efforts to strengthen relations between Ghana and Russia.
The honour also held personal significance for the President, who studied at the institution as a postgraduate student nearly four decades ago.
The Russian University of Transport subsequently awarded him another honorary doctorate for his contributions to national development, particularly in transport and logistics infrastructure.
Mr Mahama was described as the first sitting Head of State to receive an honorary degree from the transport university.
The two awards have brought the number of honorary doctorate degrees attributed to him to nine.
Mr Acquah’s concerns stem from comments Mr Mahama made while campaigning in Kasoa ahead of the 2024 general elections.
At the time, Mr Mahama criticised former President Akufo-Addo for accepting honorary doctorate degrees while still in office.
He argued that a sitting president should wait until the end of his tenure, when his performance could be assessed, before accepting such honours.
Mr Mahama also accused his predecessor of having an excessive appetite for honorary awards and alleged that he had pressured local and international universities to confer degrees on him.
Mr Acquah’s remarks draw a parallel between those criticisms and the current President’s acceptance of two honorary doctorates during his own tenure.
The issue centres on whether the principle Mr Mahama advocated while in opposition should equally apply to his presidency.
While the Russian universities cited Mr Mahama’s leadership and contributions to national development and international relations as reasons for the awards, the development has prompted questions about the consistency of his earlier position.
The conferment of the honorary degrees has also generated reactions on social media, with some users criticising the President and circulating his past campaign remarks.
Some critics have accused him of hypocrisy, arguing that his decision to accept the awards contradicts the position he previously expressed about sitting presidents receiving honorary doctorates.
By 1960news.com
