Fordham Varsity confers doctorate degree on First Lady
The Fordham University in the United States of America (USA) has conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on the First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama, in recognition of her humanitarian work and commitment to improve the lives of vulnerable children and women in Ghana.
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The degree was conferred on her and nine other prominent personalities who have distinguished themselves in their fields of endeavour at the 170th Commencement of the Fordham University in New York, USA, during which Mrs Mahama delivered the keynote address.
The Professor of Religion and Society at the Fordham University, Reverend Fr Patrick Ryan, presented the diploma, cap, gown and academic hood to the First Lady.
The honour conferred on the First Lady and the nine others formed part of the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2015 made up of 4,972 graduates.
Citation
A citation presented to the First Lady said: "For many efforts to help the disadvantaged and create opportunities for women and girls, we, the President and trustees of Fordham University, in solemn convocation assembled, and in accord with the chartered authority bestowed on us by the regents of the University of the State of New York, declare Nana Lordina Dramani Mahama, Doctor of Humane Letters, honors causa."
"As the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Lordina Dramani Mahama is often known as mother of the nation. But she might also be called its conscience, given her prominent efforts to aid its most vulnerable citizens and help women and girls advance in the Ghanaian society,” it added.
Delivering the keynote address, Mrs Mahama expressed gratitude to the university for the honour done her, adding, "I admire Fordham for a number of reasons, including your location here in the Bronx."
She said she also admired the institution because it was built on Catholic principles.
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Humanity
Mrs Mahama urged the graduates to lend a helping hand to others, especially the less privileged, while showing empathy and human kindness.
"As we disperse from here, we must define the relationship we want to have with our communities and our people. Many of us will find the definition of ourselves in the careers we choose as scientists, social workers, religious leaders. But what is important is our sense of fellow feeling, both at work and in our spare time,” she said.
Her activities
Mrs Mahama has been involved in humanitarian issues for many years. It has won her international recognition and defined her as a respected advocate of women empowerment and helper of the poor and the marginalised.
She has provided medical supplies worth millions of cedis, including ambulances and mattresses, for more than 30 hospitals and health facilities across the country and also worked to prevent breast and cervical cancers and HIV infection in Ghana.
Through the First Lady's efforts, a shelter is under construction at the Gambaga Witches Camp for women who have been accused of being witches and neglected by their families.
She has adopted seven orphanages in parts of the Ghana for which she provides food, clothing and other needs.
Profile
Mrs Mahama was born and educated in Ghana. She holds a bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management and a master’s degree in Governance and Leadership from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
She became the First Lady in July 2012 when her husband became President.
She was elected the First Vice-President of the Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV and AIDS (OAFLA) for West Africa and is the premier ambassador of the UNAIDS Global Plan on the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission.
Her humanitarian and philanthropic work over the years has won her both local and international recognition. Last year, she was honoured with a Global Inspiration Leadership Award and inducted into the Global Women Leaders Hall of Fame at the Second Africa-Middle East-Asia Women’s Summit in Dubai, organised by the Centre for Economic and Leadership Development and the CEO Clubs Network Worldwide.
She was installed the Sompahemaa of the Nkoranza Traditional Area in the Brong Ahafo Region in recognition of her contributions to the community in particular and Ghana in general.