President John Dramani Mahama has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the Russian University of Transport in Moscow in recognition of his leadership and contributions to Ghana’s national development, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and education. The award was presented on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, at the university’s grand auditorium. The ceremony was attended by members of the academic senate, Ghanaian officials, students and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
In a citation delivered during the event, the university’s academic council commended President Mahama for his leadership and dedication to development. It noted that his policies aligned with the institution’s philosophy of applying knowledge to serve society. In his acceptance speech, President Mahama dedicated the honour to the people of Ghana, emphasising the critical role of transport infrastructure in driving economic growth and advancing social development.
“I bring you the greetings and friendship of the government and people of Ghana, with whom I share this honour,” he said. The President explained that efficient transport systems were vital to linking farmers with markets, expanding access to education and employment, and facilitating the movement of goods between production centres, ports and consumers.
He also outlined Ghana’s key infrastructure priorities, which include the development of a new port at Tema, the reconstruction of major roads, the expansion of airport facilities and the advancement of railway projects. President Mahama further revealed that his government was pursuing efforts to revive Ghana’s national airline, expressing optimism that it would return to service before the end of his tenure.
“Even as I speak, we are working on rebuilding our cherished national airline. It is my hope that before I leave office, we will have it back in the air,” he stated.
Mahama calls for Ghana-Russia academic collaboration
President Mahama emphasized the need for stronger partnerships between the Russian University of Transport and Ghanaian institutions in areas such as transport engineering, railway development, logistics, road safety, and technology. He stated that collaboration between universities and technical institutions could enhance Ghana’s expertise necessary for modernizing its transport systems and supporting industrialization.
“I am pleased to learn that the Russian University of Transport has established connections with Ghanaian science and technology institutions as well as technical universities. There are many opportunities for collaboration in transport engineering, railway development, logistics, road safety, and the application of technology in transport and traffic management,” he remarked.
The President also expressed his hope that this visit would inspire more Ghanaian students to enroll at the university, pointing out that currently, there is only one Ghanaian student studying there. Reflecting on his own educational experience in Russia, he noted that generations of Ghanaians have benefited from studying in the country, acquiring professional skills and forming friendships that have lasted well beyond their university years.
President discusses jobs, industrialisation
Before the conferment ceremony, President Mahama held a dialogue with students, addressing questions on industrialisation, energy security and Ghana-Russia relations. Asked about his vision for Ghana, he said his priority was to translate improvements in the country’s macroeconomic performance into jobs and opportunities for young people.
“My dream is to translate the macroeconomic success into jobs and opportunities for the young people. How we set the stage for the country to industrialise. That’s my dream,” he said. On energy security, the President said Ghana was exploring alternative sources of power, including nuclear energy, to support industrial development.
He cited the energy requirements of processing Ghana’s gold, bauxite and manganese as a reason for diversifying the country’s energy mix. “We are looking at alternative energy sources. That is why we are looking at nuclear, adding nuclear energy to the mix,” he said, adding that Ghana could explore Russia’s technological expertise in the sector.
President Mahama also expressed optimism that the upcoming Russia-Africa Summit and engagements with Russian President Vladimir Putin would create opportunities for increased investment and bilateral cooperation. “I believe that meeting will open new areas of cooperation. I am sure that after the meeting, it will draw us closer in terms of investments,” he said.
Mahama urges students to pursue excellence
President Mahama urged students to pursue their education with dedication, a spirit of inquiry and a strong commitment to professional ethics. He encouraged them to engage with people from diverse backgrounds, learn from their experiences and recognise the impact their professional decisions could have on others. “Be curious, learn from people with different perspectives, uphold the values of your profession and always remember those who will rely on your judgement,” he said.
The President’s visit forms part of broader efforts to deepen relations between Ghana and Russia, particularly in education, technical and vocational training, infrastructure development and investment. He noted that sustained academic exchanges could foster mutual understanding, strengthen ties and promote peaceful cooperation between the two countries. “May this occasion further strengthen the friendship between Ghana and the Russian Federation and open new avenues for collaboration between our institutions and peoples,” he added.
