Akufo-Addo receives honorary doctorate degree from Valley View University; Urges SDA Church to reconsider decision not to participate in December 7 Elections

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has received an honorary doctorate degree from the Valley View University.

It was the 5th honorary degree received by the President.

At a special event on Sunday, July 14, 2024, the President was honoured for his dedication to national development and academic excellence.

Humility
In a speech after he has been decorated with the honours, President Akufo-Addo said the prestigious recognition filled him with profound gratitude and humility. He said the honour acknowledges his efforts and reflects the shared values and vision “we hold for the future of our beloved nation.”

Valley View University
President Akufo-Addo noted that Valley View University has played a significant role in the growth and development of private tertiary education in Ghana.

“As the first private university in the country to receive a charter, it set a benchmark for excellence and innovation in higher education. This milestone was achieved under the leadership of the first NPP President of the 4th Republic, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, marking a significant turning point in the history of tertiary education in Ghana. My administration continued to support the growth of private tertiary institutions, presenting charters to seven private institutions since 2017, to create a diverse and competitive higher education landscape that meets the evolving needs of our society,” he stated.

Free SHS
The President said education has been a cornerstone of his administration’s agenda, which is best exemplified by the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy launched in 2017.

SDA Church and elections
The President called on the leadership and members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church to reconsider the decision of the church not to participate in the December 7 general elections because it coincides with the Sabbath.

“Our democratic process is fundamental to our society, and the right to vote is a sacred trust bestowed upon each one of us as citizens of a democratic nation. By participating in the elections, we fulfill a moral duty to contribute to the common good, building a just and equitable society that reflects our shared values, he said.

He invoked the admonition of Jesus Christ to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” to emphasize the importance of balancing civic duties with spiritual obligations, and therefore urged the Adventist community to explore practical solutions that enable their members to exercise their right to vote without compromising their religious convictions.