President John Dramani Mahama has congratulated his Chief of Staff, Dr Julius Debrah, on earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Museum and Heritage Studies from the University of Ghana, describing the achievement as a testament to dedication, perseverance and the pursuit of lifelong learning.
Speaking as the special guest at the University of Ghana School of Graduate Studies congregation held at the Great Hall on Saturday, July 25, 2026, President Mahama praised Dr. Debrah for completing the rigorous doctoral programme while serving in one of the country’s highest public offices.
“I’m especially delighted to see my Chief of Staff among today’s graduating class, and I congratulate him together with every member of this distinguished cohort,” the President said.
President Mahama revealed that throughout the 2024 election campaign, Dr Debrah balanced his academic commitments with campaign activities, often excusing himself to meet his academic supervisor or undertake field research for his doctoral studies.
“We used to be on the campaign trail together, and he would run away and leave us and say, ‘Oh, I have to meet my supervisor,'” the President recalled.
He also recounted a humorous incident during one of Dr. Debrah’s archaeological field trips in Nakpanduri, where local chiefs and residents mistakenly believed the research team was engaged in illegal mining activities.
“They were digging somewhere in Nakpanduri, and suddenly the chiefs and the villagers came out and confronted them. They thought they were doing galamsey,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.
President Mahama described the doctorate as a powerful demonstration that public service and academic excellence can go hand in hand.
“His achievement is a powerful reminder that learning is a lifelong pursuit and that public service and academic excellence are not mutually exclusive. They are indeed mutually reinforcing,” he stated.
In a light-hearted moment, the President joked that Dr. Debrah’s new academic credentials would require him to be more meticulous during future discussions.
“I suspect he may now begin reminding me that every argument requires stronger evidence and that every quotation deserves a proper citation. I shall therefore have to be very much more careful in future,” he quipped.
The President also disclosed that witnessing the graduation ceremony briefly inspired him to consider pursuing a PhD himself.
Dr. Julius Debrah was among the PhD graduates honoured during the congregation after successfully completing his doctoral studies in Museum and Heritage Studies at the University of Ghana
