President Mahama honoured by University of Aberdeen
President John Dramani Mahama has dedicated an honorary doctor of laws degree conferred on him by the University of Aberdeen yesterday to the people of Ghana.
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"I consider this an honour for all Ghanaians and it is a reflection of the strides we have made as a people, both internationally and at home," he said at a special congregation of the university in Scotland
Why the honour
The university, in conferring the degree on the President, said it took into account his leadership qualities including his work on child poverty and children's rights, and the role he has played in the fight against Ebola.
The university also took into consideration, the large Ghanaian student and graduate population in Aberdeen.
Humbled
President Mahama stated how humbled he was to be honoured by the prestigious university.
"This is especially, because the University of Aberdeen, aside from its rich history, has also produced several distinguished personalities including five Nobel Prize Laureates.
"Many of my compatriots have also passed through the gates of this great institution and carry its badge of honour with much pride, " he said.
President Mahama acknowledged the fact that the university had trained many Ghanaian students.
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Oil and gas
The President said the success story of the country's oil and gas industry could not be told without mentioning Aberdeen University.
"Ghana entered the oil and gas era only in the year 2011 and is still nurturing a fledgling industry.
"While we may have missed the heydays of the industry where the commodity dominated the world's energy choices like a colossus, we have benefitted from the experience of many countries like Scotland on how to manage our oil and gas resources better and how to avoid the Dutch disease," he told the gathering.
He stated that today, many companies were investing in the oil and gas sector.
Good governance
President Mahama gave the assurance that Ghana, under his leadership, would continue to witness good governance and enhanced management of the oil resources.
“Just as we have learnt from the likes of Scotland and Norway on how to better manage our resources, Ghana is working to be a shining example for many other countries that have recently also discovered significant hydrocarbon resources," he added.
Reflection
While welcoming the honour, he said, "I reflect on fate and destiny."
Making reference to his book, "My first coup d'etat", he mentioned how he intended to study law at the university but ended up graduating in history for his first degree and specialising in communications at the postgraduate level.
"Today, I stand here in the realisation that your destiny will move you in the direction it is minded to, but if you follow your passion and put your heart in what you do, it will still bring you full circle.
"I stand here in fulfilment of destiny with my initial desire in hand; a law degree in the form of an honorary doctor of laws from a prestigious institution as one can find - Aberdeen University," he said.
President Mahama said he would be guided by the motto of the university, "Initium sapientiae timor domini," which translates in English as "The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord."