President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Administration by Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, in recognition of his contributions to national transformation, economic development and engagement with the global academic community.
The honorary degree was formally conferred on Friday, March 13, 2026, during a ceremony led by the university’s president, Yoon Dong-Sup, and the Dean of the Graduate School, Kim Hyun-chul.
In his acceptance speech, President Mahama said the honour symbolised the strong relations between Ghana and South Korea.
“This honour you have bestowed upon me today is one that I accept on behalf of all the people of Ghana as a symbol of the deep respect and mutual relations and admiration that exists between our two countries,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of international cooperation and youth empowerment in addressing global challenges.
“May the friendship between Ghana and Korea continue to grow deeper and stronger. May we all commit ourselves to choosing peace over conflict, cooperation over confrontation, and hope over despair,” he stated.
President Mahama further encouraged young people, particularly students of Yonsei University, to pursue excellence and lead with integrity.
In his welcome address, Prof. Yoon described Mr Mahama as a distinguished leader who has served Ghana with dedication across multiple levels of public service, including as Member of Parliament, Minister, Vice President and President.
“Throughout his career, he has embodied and advanced the values of democracy, social justice, economic development and regional cooperation,” Prof. Yoon said.