True honour is revealed in moments of testing - Apostolic Fathers defend Mahama's stance on LGBTQI+ legislation

John Mahama received a declaration of support from the Apostolic Fathers of Ghana after Lincoln University in Pennsylvania reportedly rescinded an honorary doctorate. The university had planned to honor President Mahama for his public service and global leadership but reportedly withdrew the recognition due to his opposition to LGBTQI+ ideologies and his support for Ghana's ongoing legislative process regarding anti-LGBTQI+ bills. The Apostolic Fathers of Ghana described the controversy as a revelation of true character, stating, "In what was meant to diminish honour, we perceive a paradox: for true honour is not bestowed by institutions alone but is revealed in moments where conviction is tested."

The statement, signed by Bishop Dr. Gideon Titi-Ofei on behalf of 17 senior clergy - including Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, Archbishop Dr. Charles Agyinasare, and Apostle General Sam Korankye Ankrah - praises Mahama for refusing to yield to what they called "the shifting winds of global opinion." The clergy declared, "His Excellency has risen, not diminished, but elevated." The Apostolic Fathers framed their support as a defence of cultural and spiritual integrity, stating, "His Excellency's principled stance against the promotion of LGBTQI+ ideologies and his fidelity to the ongoing legislative process in Ghanaian Parliament transcends politics."

The declaration also served as a message to the international community, reaffirming Ghana's sovereignty over its moral and cultural direction. The clergy wrote, "Ghana remains a sovereign nation, shaped by its history, defined by its cultural values, and guided by a moral vision that cannot be outsourced nor overridden." Lincoln University has not issued a public statement detailing the reasons for the withdrawal.