Nana Akomea demands apology from President Mahama over honorary doctorates

Nana Akomea, the Third National Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called on President John Mahama to issue a formal apology to former President Nana Akufo-Addo. The demand follows President Mahama's recent acceptance of two honorary doctorate degrees from universities in Russia. Akomea argues that this move directly contradicts the President's previous criticisms of sitting heads of state receiving such honors during their tenure in office.

According to the NPP executive, President Mahama and his political allies previously questioned the propriety of sitting presidents accepting honorary degrees, specifically targeting Nana Akufo-Addo when he received similar awards while in power. Akomea pointed out that since his inauguration in January 2025, President Mahama has accepted multiple honorary degrees, which he claims is a clear departure from the President's earlier stance. He stressed that this shift in position undermines the President's personal integrity and necessitates a public reconciliation with his past rhetoric.

Akomea emphasized that consistency is a vital trait for national leadership, suggesting that by accepting these awards, President Mahama has effectively validated the very actions he once condemned. The call for an apology is framed as a necessary step to address perceived hypocrisy and restore the President's credibility regarding his past critiques of his predecessor's conduct. Akomea maintained that the President owes it to the public and to former President Akufo-Addo to clarify his change of heart.

This development underscores the ongoing political friction between the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition NPP. As President Mahama continues his current term, his international recognitions and academic honors remain a subject of scrutiny by political opponents. The Presidency has not yet issued a formal response to the demands for an apology, leaving the debate over the ethics and consistency of honorary awards for sitting officials as an active point of contention in Ghanaian political discourse.