Ahmad Ahmad, President of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, LLD, H.C at a Special Congregation held by the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on Wednesday.
The honour was vested on Ahmad in recognition of his commitment to the promotion of the game in Africa and by extension Ghana, a country he has visited twice since becoming Caf president in March 2017.
Ahmad, who doubles as a Fifa Vice-President, becomes the first major international sports personality to receive the award from the highly-rated university.
“Your working life has predominantly been in the field of sports. Since 1986 you served in various positions, including teaching sports and physical education at Tambohorano College, Madagascar and Mahajanga High School.
“You were also a coach of AC Sotema, Head of Sports Services at Mahajanga and Associate Lecturer in Sports Legislation and Sports Marketing at the National Academy of Sports. In recognition and appreciation of your contribution to society, UPSA confers on you Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, LLD, H.C,” his citation stated.
This award was given by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Honorary Doctorate degree conferred on @CAF_Online president and @FIFAcom vice president Mr Ahmad by the University of Professional Studies pic.twitter.com/83WSCpVSaE
— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) April 25, 2018
As many as 48 African football federation presidents (Ghana’s inclusive), as well as executive members of GFA also attended the event in support of their leader.
In his acceptance speech after the conferment of the award, Dr Ahmad Ahmad expressed his “deepest emotions and appreciation” for the honour.
“I accept t with humility, appreciation and pride this honorary doctorate degree,” Dr Ahmad stated.
“I dedicate this award to all the president of African football because they are the people who pushed me to this change in African football.”
Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was the special guest of honour of the Special Congregation which also had the founder and First Director of the university, Nana J.K Opoku-Ampomah getting conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Business, Honoris Causa, D. BUS, H.C.
The President in his speech announced that the academic board of the UPSA has decided to rename the University after Nana Opoku Ampomah. This decision according to the President has his approval. The UPSA after the Parliamentary processes are completed will be known as the “Nana Opoku Ampomah University of Professional Studies” (NOAUPS).
