President John Dramani Mahama was on Tuesday conferred with an honorary doctorate by the Russian University of Transport (RUT), becoming the first sitting Head of State to receive such an honour from the Moscow-based institution.
The conferment ceremony, held at the university’s grand auditorium, was attended by members of the academic senate, Ghanaian officials, students, and members of the diplomatic corps. The honour comes as part of President Mahama’s visit to Moscow for the Third Russia-Africa Summit, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with President Vladimir Putin .
In a citation read during the ceremony, the academic council praised President Mahama for his “visionary leadership and commitment to national development, particularly in infrastructure and education,” noting that the university was proud to associate itself with a leader whose policies reflected its core values of placing knowledge at the service of society.
A Historic Institution
The Russian University of Transport, known by its Russian acronym MIIT, is one of Russia’s oldest and most prestigious technical institutions. Founded in 1896 as the Imperial Moscow Engineering School by decree of Emperor Nicholas II, the university has evolved into the country’s leading transport education and research centre, currently training more than 30,000 students across railway engineering, logistics, and related fields . Its alumni network includes prominent figures in Russian business, science, and culture.
The conferment of an honorary doctorate by RUT carries particular symbolic weight, given the university’s role in training transport professionals for Russia and allied nations over more than a century. President Mahama’s recognition thus represents a rare honour extended to a foreign leader from the institution.
Transport as a Catalyst for Development
Delivering his acceptance speech, President Mahama expressed profound gratitude and dedicated the honour to the people of Ghana.
“I bring you the greetings and friendship of the government and people of Ghana, with whom I share this honour,” he stated.
The President highlighted the critical role of transport infrastructure in national development, noting that few fields connect academic knowledge so directly to people’s daily lives.
“Farmers’ harvests gain value because they can be moved from the farm to the market. A young person’s prospects improve when reliable transport connects his home to school or work. Businesses can grow and expand when goods move efficiently between production centres, ports and consumers,” he explained.
President Mahama outlined Ghana’s infrastructure agenda under his administration, including the construction of a new port at Tema, the reconstruction of major road networks, the expansion of airports, and the ongoing development of the railway network.
“Even as I speak, we are working on rebuilding our cherished national airline. It is my hope that before I leave office, we will have it back in the air,” he declared, drawing applause from the audience.
Call for Educational Partnerships
The President emphasised human capital development and called for strengthened collaboration between Ghanaian institutions and the Russian University of Transport.
“I am happy to hear that the Russian University of Transport has links with Ghanaian science and technology institutions and technical universities. There is scope for collaboration in transport engineering, railway development, logistics, road safety, and the application of technology to transport and traffic management,” he noted.
He expressed hope that his visit would encourage more Ghanaian students to study at the university, noting that currently only one Ghanaian student is enrolled there.
Reflecting on his own experience, he said: “Generations of Ghanaians have benefited from studying in Russia, including myself. While in Russia, we acquired professional skills while building friendships that have endured beyond our years at university.”
Open Dialogue with Students
Before the ceremony, the President held an open dialogue session with students, answering questions on industrialisation, energy security, and Ghana-Russia cooperation.
Asked about his vision for Ghana, he said: “My dream is to translate the macroeconomic success into jobs and opportunities for the young people. How we set the stage for the country to industrialize. That’s my dream.”
On energy, he disclosed that Ghana is exploring alternative sources, including nuclear energy, to power its industrialisation agenda.
“We are looking at alternative energy sources. That is why we are looking at nuclear, adding nuclear energy to the mix. I know that Russia has advanced technology in some of these things, so we will work with that,” he stated, noting that processing the country’s gold, bauxite, and manganese requires substantial energy.
He also spoke about the upcoming Russia-Africa Summit and bilateral exchanges with President Putin, expressing optimism that it would open new areas of cooperation.
“I believe that meeting will open new areas of cooperation. I am sure that after the meeting, it will draw us closer in terms of investments,” he said.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
President Mahama’s visit is part of a broader effort to deepen bilateral relations between Ghana and the Russian Federation. The two countries share a long history of cooperation, particularly in education, with thousands of Ghanaian professionals trained in Soviet and Russian institutions over the decades.
The President called for renewed academic exchange and research collaboration.
“At a time of international interchange, universities also have an important role. Sustained academic exchange allows people to encounter different perspectives, question assumptions and share experiences. These relationships can support mutual understanding and peaceful cooperation between nations,” he stated.
A Lasting Legacy
As the ceremony drew to a close, President Mahama urged students to pursue their studies with dedication and integrity.
“Ask questions. Learn from those whose experience differs from your own. Take pride in your profession, and remain attentive to the people who will depend on your judgement,” he advised.
He concluded with a message of hope and unity: “May this occasion strengthen the friendship between Ghana and the Russian Federation and create opportunities for cooperation between our institutions and our people.”
The honorary doctorate adds to a growing list of international recognitions for President Mahama, who has previously received honorary degrees from institutions including the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and Lyon Business School in France . His Moscow visit continues with participation in the Russia-Africa Summit, where nearly 50 African countries are represented for discussions on trade, investment, and technological cooperation .
