- Lincoln University in the United States has abruptly cancelled a scheduled visit by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, originally slated for Thursday, March 26, 2026.
- While the university cited “unforeseen circumstances,” diplomatic sources and the Ghana Embassy in Washington D.C. confirmed the cancellation follows intense pressure from human rights groups over Mahama’s support for Ghana’s restrictive anti-LGBTQ legislation.
- The Ghana Embassy expressed “shock and regret” over the decision, noting that all logistical arrangements had been finalized before the institution caved to eleventh-hour objections regarding the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.
Lincoln University in the United States of America withdrew its invitation to President John Dramani Mahama just days before he was to receive an honorary doctorate.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the university had initially praised Mahama for his “outstanding contributions to public service” and his role as an advocate for global justice and reparations for the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
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However, the prestige of the visit was overshadowed by the growing international outcry surrounding Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which criminalizes same-sex relationships and advocacy.
The cancellation follows a public campaign by the advocacy group JustRight Ghana, which formally called on the university to withhold the honor until Mahama commits to dropping the bill.
Although the legislation was passed by Parliament under his predecessor, President Mahama, who returned to power following a historic victory in the December 2024 elections has publicly pledged to sign the bill into law.
This stance has created a sharp divide between his domestic political agenda and the values of inclusivity championed by international academic institutions.
President Mahama is currently in the United States to address the United Nations General Assembly, where he is presenting a resolution on behalf of the African Union regarding reparatory justice.
Despite the university’s abrupt exit from the scheduled event, Ghanaian officials maintained that the President’s international engagements on behalf of the continent remain a priority.
Nevertheless, the incident highlights the increasing pressure on African leaders to navigate the tension between traditional domestic policies and global human rights standards.
