The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto, has described veteran journalist, publisher and Pan-Africanist Mr Kwesi Pratt Jnr. as a distinguished public intellectual whose decades of service have significantly shaped national discourse and contributed to the advancement of African emancipation and self-determination.
He said it was in recognition of those contributions that the university conferred on Mr. Pratt an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.), honoris causa, during a special congregation held on Friday, September 18, 2026.
Prof. Aheto said Mr Pratt's work as a journalist, publisher, political commentator and public advocate had played an important role in discussions on Ghana's political, economic and social development, while also promoting Pan-African solidarity and African liberation.
He added that the recipient's lectures at the 15th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lectures had challenged members of the university community to revisit the relevance of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah's ideas in contemporary Ghana and Africa.
According to him, the lectures had encouraged renewed reflection on constitutionalism, sustainable development and Pan-Africanism.
The honorary degree formed part of activities marking the second and final day of the 15th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lectures, delivered by Mr Pratt under the theme, "Kwame Nkrumah, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Perspectives on Constitutionalism, Development and Pan-Africanism."
Continuing, Prof. Aheto announced a number of development initiatives being pursued by the university.
Among them is a planned 28,000-bed student accommodation project valued at approximately US$500 million.
He said UCC had also launched its e-Campus, which currently offers 36 accredited Master's, PhD and Doctor of Business Administration programmes.
According to him, as of September 17, 2026, a total of 2,854 prospective postgraduate students had applied for admission through the e-Campus, with 2,381 applications successfully verified and awaiting admission letters.
Prof. Aheto said the university would continue to leverage platforms such as the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lectures to stimulate discussion on African economic independence, self-reliance and sustainable development.
The Chancellor of UCC, Dr (Sir) Sam Esson Jonah, said the honour recognised Mr Pratt's longstanding contributions to Ghana's media landscape and civic space, as well as his commitment to using journalism and public engagement to hold power accountable and promote social justice.
He noted that the university was equally recognising the values of independent journalism, courage and openness to new ideas as essential pillars of democratic governance.
"In honouring him today, the university recognises that a vibrant democracy depends on courage, independent journalism and openness to new ideas," he said.
Sir Sam described Mr Pratt's public life as one characterised by an unwavering commitment to the public good and a strong belief in informed civic participation.
He said the conferment should remind members of the university community that education must extend beyond the acquisition of academic credentials.
"Education must not merely confer credentials. It must cultivate ethical leadership, critical thinking and civic courage," he said.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Pratt said he had never imagined that he would one day have the honour of delivering the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lectures and subsequently receive an honorary doctorate from the university.
He traced his political and intellectual development to his formative years in Accra, where he was introduced to Nkrumahist ideas and organisations.
According to him, those experiences instilled in him a lifelong conviction that there was no greater honour than contributing to the freedom and liberation of African people.
Mr Pratt said he had spent most of his life working with various left-wing organisations, including the Student Movement for African Unity, the Kwame Nkrumah Revolutionary Guards and the Socialist Movement of Ghana.
Although he acknowledged that he might not witness the fulfilment of all his political aspirations, he expressed optimism that the dream of a united Africa would eventually become a reality.
"My dreams may not be realised in my lifetime, but the dream of a united Africa under the banner of scientific socialism will one day be realised," he said.
He pledged to continue advocating the cause of African unity and liberation.
Mr Pratt also paid tribute to UCC for its contribution to intellectual development and national discourse.
Recalling his association with the university dating back to 1976, when he lived in Cape Coast as a journalist, he said UCC had served as an important centre for intellectual exchange and debate.
He noted that the institution provided opportunities for students, academics and members of the wider community to engage critically with issues affecting Ghana and the African continent.
Expressing gratitude for the honour, he pledged his continued support for the university's growth and development.
"I thank the university. I am grateful, and I will always be ready, together with my comrades and friends, to contribute to its further development," he said.
