14 Apr 2014

The University of Development Studies (UDS) in Ghana conferred a Doctorate Degree (PhD) on former president, Mr Festus Mogae on April 11.

The honour was bestowed during the university’s graduation ceremony where the institution also awarded postgraduate and undergraduate degrees to students who had successfully passed their course work.

Speaking at the commencement ceremony on the accolade for the former president, the Ghanaian vice president, Mr Kwesi Amissah Arthur, stated that Africa needed to learn from its past, unlearn bad examples, "keeping the good ones so we make rapid process and catch up with the rest of the world".

He also stated that,  “this is why it was exciting when it was announced that U.D.S has invited one of the successful leaders Africa has produced to share his experiences pursuing the path of learning and sharing”.

The vice president also said Ghana was eager to learn from the success of others on the continent for the transformation of Africa so that Botswana’s example would not be solitary one on the continent.

He stated that the awarding of the honorary doctorate degree by the University to Mr Mogae was in further recognition of the esteem in which fellow Africans held him.

Mr Arthur said he was grateful to the U.D.S for capturing this distinguished African so that he could share his experience through the African leadership lecture series.

He praised the former Botswana president for the role he played in African leadership with his vast experience and development of team spirit in the development of Africa.

In a citation, the university authorities described Mr Mogae as a distinguished personality and peace promoter for development and a believer of democracy.

Mr Mogae recently spent three days lecturing at the university as part of the Africa lecture series under the theme: Challenges of Natural Resources Management in a Developing Country. 

At the graduation, Mr Mogae assured the UDS of his continued support, while expressing his gratitude for the honour they had bestowed upon him. ENDS