{
  "id": 8259706,
  "title": "UCC confers honorary doctorate on Kwesi Pratt Jnr",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/ucc-confers-honorary-doctorate-on-kwesi-pratt-jnr",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T14:37:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/ucc-confers-honorary-doctorate-on-kwesi-pratt-jnr/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Friday, September 18, the University of Cape Coast (UCC) honored veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr with an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degree at a special congregation. The recognition came after Mr. Pratt delivered the second of the 15th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lectures. Chancellor Dr. Sam Esson Jonah emphasized that the honor acknowledged Mr. Pratt's lifelong contributions to Ghana's media, civic space, and promotion of democracy, Pan-Africanism, and social justice. He also stressed the importance of independent journalism, courage, and openness to new ideas in sustaining democracy. The Chancellor encouraged students to learn from Mr. Pratt's life and work, emphasizing the need for ethical leadership, critical thinking, and civic courage. Mr. Pratt expressed his surprise at receiving the honorary degree, tracing his political and intellectual roots to his early years and noting Nkrumah's enduring influence. He stressed the importance of contributing to the freedom of African people, a belief instilled in him by growing up in Accra and engaging with left-wing organizations. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Pratt praised UCC for its role in intellectual development and public life, and pledged his continued support for the university's growth. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto, highlighted Mr. Pratt's decades-long service as a journalist, publisher, political commentator, and public intellectual, praising his impact on Ghana's political, economic, and social discourse, as well as Pan-African solidarity. He also announced several UCC initiatives, including a US$500 million student accommodation project and the launch of its e-Campus, offering 36 accredited master’s, PhD, and Doctor of Business Administration programs.",
  "summary": "The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) on veteran journalist, publisher, and Pan-Africanist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}