An Honourary Doctor of Law Degree will be conferred on the 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, by the University of Fort Hare, Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa, on May 5, 2016, as part of the University’s centenary celebrations.

The decision to confer the honourary doctorate degree on Nana Akufo-Addo was taken by the University’s Governing Council on November 27, 2015 because “Mr. N A D Akufo-Addo’s legal and political leadership roles, both past and present, significantly contribute to human rights, constitutional democracy as well as socio-economic development as enshrined in the University of Fort Hare’s strategic vision and mission.

“It is in view of this that the University of Fort Hare is honoured to be associated with such a distinguished lawyer and politician.”

Nana Akufo-Addo left Ghana last night, on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, to South Africa, ahead of the graduation ceremony on May 5. He was accompanied by his wife, Rebecca Akufo-Addo; brother, Edward Akufo-Addo; daughter, Edwina Akufo-Addo; Executive Assistant, Saratu Atta; Political Assistant, Francis Asenso Boakye; and Press Secretary, Eugene Arhin.

The University of Fort Hare, one of the first and oldest institutions of higher learning on the African continent, has made an immense contribution to the history of Africa, producing some of the outstanding leaders in Southern and Eastern Africa.

Illustrious alumni from this University include the late Nelson Mandela, first black President of South Africa; the late Julius Nyerere, first President of Tanzania; the late Seretse Khama, first President of Botswana; Kenneth Kaunda, first President of Zambia; Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe; Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the first black Archbishop of Cape Town; and giants of the liberation struggle such as the late Oliver Tambo; the late Govan Mbeki, father of former South African President, Thabo Mbeki; the late Robert Sobukwe; the late Chris Hani; the late Joshua Nkomo; and Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, amongst others.

Nana Akufo-Addo will return to Ghana on Monday, May 9, 2016.