By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, Sept 19, GNA – The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt., Honoris Causa) on Mr Kwesi Pratt Jnr, a renowned journalist, author, and media executive, for his distinguished contribution to national development and service to humanity.
Mr Pratt was honoured for his decades of professional practice as a journalist, commitment and contributions to press freedom, advancement of the Pan-African agenda, among other notable achievements.
He received the honour at a special congregation constituted as part of the University’s 15th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lecture series, for which he was the guest speaker.
The two-day insightful lectures were held under the theme: “Kwame Nkrumah yesterday, today and tomorrow: Perspectives on constitutionalism, development and Pan Africanism.”
Dr Sir Sam Esson Jonah, the Chancellor of the University, eulogised Mr Pratt for his decades of public service, noting that his long contribution to Ghana’s media and civic space qualified him for the honour.
He recognised that Mr Pratt had used journalism and civic engagement as potent tools to exact accountability from power, adding that his work had promoted social justice, democracy and Pan-Africanism.
“Indeed, his life’s work reflects a relentless commitment to the public good and an unshakable belief in the power of informed civic engagement.
“In honouring him today, the University recognises that a vibrant democracy depends on courage, independent journalism, and the openness to new ideas,” he said.
Reflecting on the contributions of Mr Pratt, the UCC Chancellor maintained that education must not only confer credentials but cultivate ethical leadership, critical thinking, and civic courage.
He therefore challenged UCC to move in that direction and urged students to be inspired by the lives of Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Mr Pratt.
“Don’t underestimate the power of ideas. Whether in science, governance, technology, or the arts, the future of Africa will be shaped by your willingness to challenge the status quo, defend human dignity, and contribute in your field,” he stressed.
Dr Jonah congratulated the astute political analyst and expressed the hope that his life and works would continue to inspire generations of Ghanaians and Africans.
After the conferment, Mr Pratt expressed surprise and gratitude for the honour, noting that he never dreamt of having the opportunity to deliver the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lecture and receive the doctorate degree.
Even though he was not a student of the UCC, he recalled his personal connections with some academics of the school, recounting his time in Cape Coast in 1976, when UCC served as a centre of learning for both students and the surrounding community.
According to Mr Pratt, his political consciousness and patriotism were shaped by the ideals and dreams of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, which he had devoted his entire life to upholding.
He acknowledged that his dreams may not be realised in his lifetime but expressed optimism that the dream of a united Africa under the banner of scientific socialism would eventually be achieved.
“Until that time comes, until freedom comes, when like all of us, we are compelled to give up our body and our spirit, we shall continue to struggle until final victory,” he assured.
Touching on the role of tertiary institutions, Mr Pratt argued that universities should not merely collect and transfer ideas, concepts and information but should play an active role in changing society.
He praised UCC as a leading global university, describing it as “one of the greatest universities in the world” and pledged his continued support for the school and its mission of African liberation.
Prof Denis Worlanyo Aheto, Vice Chancellor of UCC, lauded Mr Pratt for his commitment to African emancipation and Pan-Africanism, noting his consistency in advancing those ideals through his public discourse.
“Through his journalism and public engagements, he has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to the interrogation of Ghana’s political, economic and social development, as well as the ideals of African emancipation, self-determination and Pan-African solidarity,” he stated.
He congratulated him on his award and urged him to continue championing his cause.
Prof Aheto, reflecting on Mr Pratt’s two-day lectures, indicated that the sessions enriched intellectual discourse and provided compelling reflections on the relevance and legacy of Kwame Nkrumah’s ideas to Ghana and Africa today.
According to him, the lectures encouraged a renewed examination of constitutionalism, sustainable development and Pan-Africanism.
The Vice Chancellor, turning attention to the university’s mandate, noted that it had evolved from merely training Ghana’s teaching workforce.
He said UCC had expanded its programmes in response to national aspirations and global trends, while maintaining its commitment to research and academic leadership.
Prof Aheto, announced that the school, in response to the age-old student accommodation challenges, had signed an MoU with GSC Property Investment Limited for the development of s 28,000-bed student accommodation.
He said the project was estimated at US$500 million and would be implemented under a 30-year build-operate-transfer arrangement, adding that 25 hectares of the university’s land had been allocated for the project.
He further announced that the UCC e-Campus, launched recently in partnership with AstriaLearning, was already attracting strong patronage within one month as the university expanded digital and AI-powered education.
Prof Aheto assured that UCC would strengthen digital governance and Pan-African engagements by pursuing greater decentralisation, transparency, accountability and efficiency in its administration.
He further reaffirmed the school’s commitment to using its platforms to promote economic independence, self-reliance and sustainable development in Africa as espoused by Dr Kwame Nkrumah and reiterated by Mr Pratt in his lectures.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Prince Acquah
E-mail: [email protected]