President John Dramani Mahama has received an honorary doctorate from the Russian University of Transport in Moscow, Russia, becoming the first sitting Head of State to receive the honour from the institution.
The award was presented on October 27, 2026, during a ceremony attended by university officials, Ghanaian government representatives, students and members of the diplomatic corps. The university praised President Mahama for his leadership and commitment to national development, particularly in infrastructure and education.
In his acceptance speech, President Mahama dedicated the honour to the people of Ghana and highlighted the importance of transport infrastructure in promoting economic growth, improving access to education and creating business opportunities.
He outlined Ghana’s infrastructure development agenda, including plans for a new port at Tema, the reconstruction of major roads, airport expansion and railway development. He also expressed hope that Ghana’s national airline would resume operations before the end of his presidency.
The President called for stronger cooperation between Ghanaian universities and the Russian University of Transport in areas such as railway engineering, transport technology, logistics, road safety and traffic management. He also encouraged more Ghanaian students to pursue higher education in Russia.
During an engagement with students, Mahama emphasised that his vision for Ghana is to translate macroeconomic progress into jobs and opportunities, particularly for young people. He stressed the need to accelerate industrialisation by strengthening the country’s infrastructure and energy supply.
On energy security, the President disclosed that Ghana is exploring alternative power sources, including nuclear energy, to support industrial development. He noted that processing natural resources such as gold, bauxite and manganese requires reliable and sufficient electricity.
Mahama also expressed optimism about strengthening Ghana-Russia relations through investment, academic exchanges and technological cooperation. He said upcoming engagements, including the Russia-Africa Summit and discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, could create new opportunities for bilateral investment.
The honorary doctorate marks a significant moment in Ghana-Russia relations, particularly in education, infrastructure development and technology transfer. President Mahama called for stronger academic partnerships and encouraged students to pursue their studies with dedication, integrity and a commitment to national development.
Source: newsthemegh.com