John Kufuor, former president of Ghana, will be the keynote speaker at Delaware State University’s spring Commencement.
President Kufuor will be the first former head of state to speak at the school, and DSU spokesman Carlos Holmes says the administration is deeply excited.
"This is not just any President, but this a historic president. And he was able to bring about some great things there. And he is revered there in that country."
His inauguration in 2001 marked the first peaceful transfer of power between democratically elected governments since the Ghanaian independence in 1957. He also made advancements in the country’s educational system and pioneered a micro-lending program.
"I’m sure that he’s going to have some frame of references that will reflect his storied life as a head of state, and as a leader in this global world," said Holmes.
DSU president Dr. Harry Williams met with Kufuor recently on a trip to Africa.
He also has a family connection to DSU in Dr. Akwasi Osei, who chairs the History, Political Science and Philosophy department.
DSU’s Commencement is Sunday, May 17 at the school’s main campus in Dover.