A Special Congregation took place on the third day of the Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial Lecture series to confer an honorary degree on Dr.  Ernesto Zedillo, 2012 Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial Lecturer.

Dr.  Ernesto Zedillo was conferred with the degree of Doctor of Law (Honoris Causa) after the delivery of the last in the series of lectures on the topic:  The Unequal Race Between Globalization and Governance:  Recent History and Speculations about the Future (Part 2), in a colourful ceremony at the Great Hall, preceded earlier by a spectacular performance by the Ghana Dance Ensemble.   

The brief ceremony, attended by Members of Council, Members of Convocation, officials from sister universities and institutions, former officials of the University, staff and students of the University, alumni, friends of the University and the general public, was performed by the Chairman of Council, His Lordship Justice S.K. Date-Bah.  Earlier, the Registrar, Mr. J.M. Budu, explained that the Chancellor, His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan was unable to be present in view of international assignments that he was undertaking. 

A citation was read by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, which acknowledged Dr. Zedillo’s  distinguished career of public service spanning over 30 years both in his native country, Mexico, and on the international scene. The citation also noted his distinguished service as President of Mexico from 1994 to 2000, mentioning as one of the most defining acts of his government, the creation of Progresa, a poverty-fighting programme which introduced subsidies for poor families if their children remained in school. 

The Vice-Chancellor also presented a copy of a publication he co-authored, to be launched early this week, The Oxford Companion to the Economics of Africa, to Dr. Zedillo.

After the ceremony, the University of Ghana Jubilee Choir, directed by Mr. T.E. Andoh led the audience in a solemn rendition of the hymn, Now Praise We Great and Famous Men. 

Since leaving office, Dr. Ernesto Zedillo has been a leading voice on globalization, and has championed the study of the impact this has on relations between developed and developing nations. 

The Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial Lectures was instituted in 1957 to commemorate the contribution made to the founding of Achimota College and the advancement of education, particularly higher education, in Ghana.  The Lectures have become a great event to which the Ghanaian public looks forward.

It is indeed the most prestigious lecture series and the high-point of the intellectual calendar of the country. The Lecture series was instituted in honour of the James Kwegyir Aggrey, a great African visionary and spokesman for racial harmony and equality, whose outstanding contributions are symbolized in the shield of Achimota College, the black and white piano keys which stand for the harmony of the black and white races; Alexander G. Fraser, who was the First Principal of Achimota School.  Fraser has been described as a humane, courageous and far-sighted Scottish educationist who, in the days of skepticism about the educational potential of the African, was an advocate of education; and Gordon Guggisberg, a colonial and adjudged as one of the best administrator that Britain ever sent to govern a West African colony.  Guggisberg is known to have gone against many odds and at great personal sacrifice and far in advance of the official colonial thinking of his day, to give concrete expression to the ideals which formed the basis of Ghana's present progress.  Under his vigorous sponsorship, Achimota School grew to be one of the most distinguished and formative educational institutions in Africa. The railways and major road construction and a major hospital were constructed during his tenure.

The 2012 Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial Lectures is the 31st since the lecture series was instituted in 1957.

(Processing to the Great Hall [Front row, Dr. and Mrs. Zedillo; back, Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Council] )

The Academic Procession

Citation being read by His Lordship Justice S.K. Date-Bah, Chairman of Council

Dr . Zedillo being robed with the doctoral gown by the Chairman of Council and the Vice-Chancellor

Dr . Zedillo being robed with the doctoral gown by the Chairman of Council and the Vice-Chancellor

Dr . Zedillo delivering his Acceptance speech after the conferment.

The  Vice-Chancellor presents a copy of his latest publication,  to Dr. Zedillo

A gift from the University of Ghana was presented to Dr . Zedillo

Mrs. Nilda Zedillo poses with Mrs. Eileen Odartei-Laryea, Member of Council,  after presenting a kente stole to her

Mrs. Nilda Zedillo after the presentation

Please click here to access the Citation

Please click here to access the Event Brochure, including profile of Dr. Ernesto Zedillo

Please click here to access the Photo Gallery