Russian Woman Praises Mahama’s Leadership

As He Receives Honorary Doctorate After Lincoln University Snub

By Gifty Boateng
A Russian woman who says she has visited Ghana eight times this year has praised President John Dramani Mahama’s leadership, describing the changes she has witnessed across the country as significant.

The woman made the remarks during an engagement between President Mahama and participants at the Russian University of Transport in Moscow, where she spoke positively about Ghana’s development and expressed admiration for the President’s vision.

Speaking through an interpreter, she explained that her visits had taken her beyond Accra to several parts of the country, including Tema, Takoradi, the Bono East Region and the Volta Region.

“To the previous question about your dreams, because this year alone I visited Ghana eight times. This year. I did not visit only Accra but other regions as well. I was in Tema, in Takoradi and Bono East and also Volta Region,” she said.

She indicated that her experiences travelling across the country had allowed her to observe changes under Mahama’s leadership, prompting her to commend him publicly.

“The changes that I could witness that occurred under your leadership in your country are huge, they are immense,” she told the President.

She further described Mahama as a leader capable of translating his aspirations into reality.

“I want to say that you are the person who brings your dreams to life,” she added.

MAHAMA RESPONDS

In response, the President thanked her for the positive remarks, observing that her familiarity with Ghana was evident from the places she mentioned.

“But it’s obvious that she knows our country well, the way she was mentioning the regions,” Mahama said.

The woman subsequently expressed an intention to invest in Ghana, an offer the President welcomed.

Her remarks came as Mahama was in Moscow to strengthen Ghana-Russia relations, particularly in education, scientific research and cultural exchange.

HONORARY DOCTORATE CONFERRED

The President’s engagement with the Russian participants coincided with his receipt of an honorary doctorate from Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University) in recognition of his public service and commitment to education and international cooperation.

In his acceptance speech, Mahama expressed gratitude to the university’s leadership, academic community and the Ghanaian people, whose confidence in him, he said, had given meaning to his years in public service.

He described the award as both recognition of his work and a renewed responsibility to contribute to Ghana’s development and promote understanding among nations.

The honour also carried personal significance for the President, who studied in Russia as a postgraduate student nearly four decades ago.

He said returning to the university brought back memories of his time in the country and highlighted the longstanding relationship between Ghana and Russia.

NKRUMAH, LUMUMBA LEGACIES

Mahama also drew parallels between the legacies of Patrice Lumumba and Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, noting that both leaders championed African dignity, sovereignty and genuine independence.

He said contemporary African leaders must translate their aspirations into practical outcomes through quality education, strong institutions and expanded opportunities for young people.

During his address, Mahama called for deeper educational cooperation between Ghana and Russia to expand opportunities for students, strengthen scientific research and promote cultural understanding.

He emphasised the need for closer partnerships among universities, industry and governments to ensure that academic research produces practical solutions to national development challenges.

EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

The President welcomed discussions with RUDN University Rector, Professor Oleg Yastrebov, on a proposed Russian-African studies programme and an invitation for outstanding Ghanaian students to undertake specialised studies at the institution.

He also expressed appreciation to the Russian Government for providing scholarships to Ghanaian students and supporting educational cooperation between the two countries.

Mahama advocated further collaboration between Ghanaian and Russian institutions through student and faculty exchanges, joint research and professional training in fields such as engineering, medicine and energy.

Addressing students, he urged them to take advantage of educational opportunities, uphold integrity and apply their knowledge to improve the lives of people in their communities.

He said the value of education should be assessed not only by academic qualifications but also by its contribution to better healthcare, productive agriculture, stronger businesses and effective public institutions.

GHANA’S EDUCATION SECTOR

On Ghana’s education sector, Mahama highlighted initiatives such as Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education, the School Feeding Programme, Free Senior High School, the No-Fee Stress policy and support for students with disabilities.

He said the initiatives were intended to reduce financial barriers and widen access to education.

However, he stressed that expanding access must be accompanied by improvements in educational quality, technical and vocational training, scientific research and digital skills.

The President also called for efforts to address historical injustices associated with colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade through informed dialogue and international cooperation.

He said universities had an important role to play in preserving historical memory, advancing scholarship and encouraging a deeper understanding of the past.

Mahama accepted the honorary doctorate as encouragement to continue promoting education and peaceful relations among nations, adding that leadership required a willingness to keep learning.

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY CONTROVERSY

The honorary doctorate from RUDN University comes months after Lincoln University in the United States withdrew a similar honour it had planned to confer on Mahama.

The American institution cited concerns raised by a group over the President’s perceived position on Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which was before Parliament at the time.

In March, the Government of Ghana, through its embassy in Washington, D.C., expressed disappointment over Lincoln University’s decision.

The latest recognition from the Russian institution has therefore drawn attention against the backdrop of the earlier controversy.

Mahama’s visit to Russia has also provided an opportunity to renew discussions on educational partnerships, scholarship opportunities and scientific cooperation between Ghana and Russia.