Akufo-Addo gets doctorate degree today

Daily Graphic Politics May - 05 - 2016 , 09:33

An honorary doctor of laws degree will be conferred on Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), by the prestigious University of Fort Hare, Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa, today as part of the university’s centenary celebrations.

The decision to confer the honorary doctorate degree on Nana Akufo-Addo was taken by the University’s Governing Council on November 27, 2015.

Distinguished lawyer

According to a press release signed by Mr Eugene Arhin, “this is because Mr N .A. D. Akufo-Addo’s legal and political leadership roles, both past and present, significantly contribute to human rights, constitutional democracy as well as socio-economic development as enshrined in the University of Fort Hare’s strategic vision and mission.

“It is in view of this that the University of Fort Hare is honoured to be associated with such a distinguished lawyer and politician.”

Nana Akufo-Addo left Ghana last Tuesday for South Africa, ahead of the graduation ceremony today.

He was accompanied by his wife, Rebecca Akufo-Addo; brother, Edward Akufo-Addo; daughter, Edwina Akufo-Addo; Executive Assistant, Saratu Atta; Political Assistant, Francis Asenso Boakye, and Press Secretary, Eugene Arhin.

Oldest institutions

The University of Fort Hare, one of the first and oldest institutions of higher learning on the African continent, has made an immense contribution to the history of Africa and produced some of the outstanding leaders in Southern and Eastern Africa. Illustrious alumni from this university include the late Nelson Mandela, first black President of South Africa; the late Julius Nyerere, first President of Tanzania; the late Seretse Khama, first President of Botswana and Kenneth Kaunda, first President of Zambia.

Others are Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe; Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the first black Archbishop of Cape Town; and giants of the liberation struggle such as the late Oliver Tambo; the late Govan Mbeki, father of former South African President, Thabo Mbeki; the late Robert Sobukwe; the late Chris Hani; the late Joshua Nkomo; and Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi.