The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has broken its silence on the diplomatic fallout surrounding Lincoln University’s decision to withdraw an honorary doctorate from President John Dramani Mahama, offering the Ghanaian leader its "unwavering solidarity".

The prestigious Pennsylvania-based institution, noted as the alma mater of Ghana’s founding father, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, reportedly cancelled the conferment just days before the scheduled ceremony.

The reversal follows intense internal pressure within the university community regarding President Mahama’s perceived stance on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, 27th March 2026, the Catholic hierarchy expressed deep concern over the circumstances of the withdrawal.

While the bishops acknowledged the sovereign right of academic institutions to manage their honours, they suggested the move lacked the transparency expected of an entity with such deep historical ties to Ghana.

“While we respect the autonomy of institutions, we emphasise the need for transparency, fairness, and due regard for the dignity of individuals and nations,” the Conference stated in a release signed by Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Bishop of Sunyani Diocese and the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC).

Despite the snub, President Mahama has maintained a diplomatic posture, stating that Lincoln University remains "deeply respected" for its historical contribution to African liberation.

The GCBC also moved to align itself with the Assemblies of God Church in Ghana, which had earlier condemned the university's decision.

The controversy has reignited the domestic debate over the "Anti-LGBTQ" Bill. The Bishops used the communique to send a clear message to the Speaker and the House: the time for delay has passed.

“We encourage the Parliament of Ghana to do its utmost to ensure the timely transmission of the Bill to the President for assent,” the GCBC urged, calling for a "strong sense of national responsibility" in finalising the legal process.

The bishops balanced their domestic concerns with praise for Mahama’s recent diplomatic success at the United Nations, where he led a 123-nation coalition to pass a resolution on the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. The Conference described this as a "demonstration of commitment to justice" that far outweighs the loss of a symbolic degree.

Concluding with a call for national prayer, the GCBC assured the President of their spiritual support as he navigates these complex constitutional and international waters.

“We echo the call… for prayer and national reflection. In moments such as these, unity among Christian communities and the broader society remains essential,” the bishops concluded, praying for the President to act with “wisdom, courage, and clarity of purpose.”

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Catholic Bishops Support Mahama After US University Takes Back Honorary Degree Over LGBTQ Views

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