Will an honorary doctorate solve Ghana's problems? — Franklin Cudjoe quizzes Akufo-Addo

Ghanaian policy advisor Franklin Cudjoe has questioned the merits of bestowing an honorary doctorate on President Akufo-Addo.

Mr. Cudjoe argues it will do nothing to address Ghana's pressing socio-economic issues.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, July 23, the IMANI Africa Founding President asked "What at all in Cathedral's name does Nana Addo want an Honorary doctorate for? A coronation?"

He pointed to infrastructure problems like "dangerous roads in the Volta Region" and broader economic challenges such as high inflation that grabbing an honorary title cannot remedy.

"Nearly 2 million youth are idling about mired in poverty and squalor. They need proper domestic industry to at least keep them alive on minimum wage," Mr. Cudjoe wrote.

He suggested resurrecting local industries like jute bag making could create jobs, rather than 'spending nearly $60m a year importing cocoa bagging sacks.'

The IMANI boss further criticized "deep political posturing" in parliament over issues like cement regulations and lithium mining agreements.

In a direct appeal to Akufo-Addo, the policy advisor stated: "Mr. President, don't go for the Honorary Award from the University of Health and Allied Sciences!”

Similarly, the youth wing of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region is protesting the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) plans to confer an honorary doctorate degree on President Nana Akufo-Addo.

In a statement released on Thursday, July 18, the Volta Regional Youth Organizer of the NDC, Mathias Johnson Alagbo, said the youth "are totally disappointed" by UHAS's proposal, calling it "infuriating and unacceptable."