The former President, John Dramani Mahama is set to deliver a keynote speech at the Universities Studying Slavery (USS) Conference 2023 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In a statement released on Wednesday, October 18 2023 and signed by the Special Aide to the former President, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, the conference will focus on the theme “Slavery, Reparations, and Education: African Nova Scotia, Canada, and Beyond”.
The Conference will provide a platform for intellectual exchange, fostering dialogue, and promoting research on the critical intersections of slavery, reparations, and education.
According to her Mr. Mahama’s participation as a keynote speaker is a testament to his unwavering commitment to addressing historical injustices and fostering equality.
It is also an affirmation of his governance experience and deep understanding of the impact of slavery on societies.
Mahama To Speak On Challenges Faced By People Of African Descent
Mrs Joyce Bawa Mogtari further noted that in the keynote address of the former President and the National Democratic Congress flagbearer for the 2024 general election, Mr. Mahama will present his perspectives on the experiences and challenges faced by persons of African descent in their pursuit of justice, equality, and education.
Again, Mr Mahama will draw on his rich experiences to share valuable insights into the social, economic, and political implications of slavery. He will also discuss the potential solutions and systemic changes required for meaningful reparations.
According to Mrs. Mogtari while in Halifax, Mr. Mahama will hold meetings with the President of Dalhousie University, Kim Brooks, and interact with the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace, and Security.
Moreover, the National Democratic Congress flagbearer for the 2024 general election will also visit the Black Cultural Centre and tour Africville, a former African Nova Scotian community destroyed in the 1960s to make way for industrial development.
The former president will also share his insights and visionary leadership at a breakfast event hosted by the Black Business Initiative on “Unlocking Economic Development through Youth Entrepreneurship.”
This adds to the numerous international and global conferences that the former President and the National Democratic Congress flagbearer have attended and spoken as a keynote speaker.
For instance, on Tuesday, 19 September, 2023 the Former President, and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2024 general election, John Dramani Mahama spoke at the Humanity Summit 2023 in Faro, Portugal.
Mr Mahama has also attended numerous conferences and won many fellowships, including a study as a visiting scholar at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States.
He is also a Bill Gates Fellow and was awarded the Great Cross of the National Order of Benin, the highest award in Benin, by President Yayi Boni.
In October 2022, Mr Mahama was honoured by Liberty University with a Global Leadership and Economic Impact Award in Virginia, USA. This award was to celebrate him for governing wisely, “advocating and achieving a consistent track record on economic development, women’s participation in education, and enhancing economic growth
Again, in February 2017, Mr Mahama also received the 2016 African Political Leader of the Year Award from the African Leadership Magazine in South Africa.
He is currently the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress for the 2024 general election for the second time after he lost the 2016 election as the sitting President to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo .
He polled 297,603 votes representing 98.9% and his closest contender, the former Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu, polled a paltry 3,181 representing 1.1% whiles the third contestant, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, a former Finance Minister of Finance, pulled out of the race on the eve of the elections on Friday, 12 May 2023 making it a two horse race between John Mahama and Mr. Bonsu
