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Lincoln University withdraws president Mahama’s honorary doctorate over LGBTQ+ stance
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The Government of Ghana has expressed disappointment after Lincoln University withdrew plans to confer an honorary doctorate on President John Dramani Mahama during his visit to the United States.
In a statement issued by the Ghana Embassy in Washington, D.C. on March 24, officials said the decision followed concerns raised by a group over the President’s perceived position on Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which is currently before Parliament.
According to the Embassy, the visit and award had been agreed upon after extensive engagement between both sides.
It said preparations, including logistical arrangements, had already been completed ahead of the scheduled event on March 26.
“It is therefore both surprising and regrettable that, just hours ago, the Embassy received a communication from the University indicating that concerns had been raised,” the statement said.
The Embassy noted that the concerns were not raised during earlier discussions and vetting processes before the invitation was extended.
It added that the President had already arrived in the United States in anticipation of honouring the invitation.
The Embassy stressed that the issues cited by the university relate to an ongoing legislative process in Ghana and should not be attributed to a single individual.
“President Mahama has consistently demonstrated leadership grounded in democratic principles, respect for human rights, and inclusive dialogue,” it said.
While acknowledging the university’s right to uphold its institutional values, the Embassy described the timing of the decision as concerning and called for continued dialogue.
Lincoln University has historic ties with Ghana, including its association with Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has announced plans to introduce a new Bill to strengthen the legal framework for the discipline of lawyers in Ghana.
In an address read on his behalf by the Deputy Attorney-General at the opening of the 2026 Conference of the Ghana Bar Association, Dr. Ayine disclosed that the Bill is headed to Cabinet for review and approval before being laid before Parliament.
The proposed law, to be called the Legal Profession (Practitioners Standards Board) Bill, is expected to transform and strengthen the regulatory framework for disciplining lawyers to safeguard the rights of practitioners and promote public confidence in the profession.
According to the Attorney-General, when passed, the Bill will establish an independent Disciplinary Committee with clear rules of procedure and proposals on proportionate sanctions.
He explained that this marks a progressive departure from the existing framework where the Disciplinary Committee both investigates and adjudicates complaints. The Bill also proposes clear and strict procedural timelines for resolving grievances to avert prolonged deliberations that frustrate both clients and lawyers.
Secondly, Dr. Ayine noted that under the current framework, Superior Court judges sit on the Disciplinary Committee whose decisions, as quasi-judicial decisions, are subject to reviews and appeals in the same courts where these judges preside.
The new Bill seeks to eliminate this conflict of interest by creating a separately constituted Board composed of lay non-lawyers and professional representatives with guaranteed tenure.
The Attorney-General added that the Bill seeks to separate professional discipline from executive, judicial or competitive interference to ensure that disciplinary mechanisms are not weaponized against lawyers by clients, the Bench, or the State.
The introduction of the new law forms part of efforts by the Attorney-General to introduce reforms into the legal profession aimed at revolutionizing legal practice and training. It follows the passage of the Legal Education Act, 2026, which is currently at the implementation stage.
News
Gov’t did not approve market near school — Stan Dogbe clears air on Ahafo Ano South market siting
Deputy Chief of Staff, Stan Xoese Dogbe has reacted to a viral video raising concerns about the siting of a market close to a school in the Ahafo Ano South District of the Ashanti Region.
In a post responding to the video, Mr. Dogbe said he has been in contact with the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who he said is on top of the situation and has long since halted the construction process.
According to him, the decision to designate the said land near the school for the market was not a government decision.
“Once the development was brought to the RCC’s attention, the regional minister immediately asked that the process be stopped,” he stated.
Mr. Dogbe explained that the community currently has no available land space for the construction of the model market, which necessitated their choice of the location near the school.
He noted however that the community has been asked to find another, more suitable piece of land for the project to commence.
“We thank all for the interest in developmental issues in our communities,” he added.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
