Ghana to honor astronaut Christina Koch after historic Artemis II Moon mission

Ghana plans to formally honor American astronaut Christina Hammock Koch following her historic journey around the Moon as part of the Artemis II mission. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced this on his X page on April 12, 2026. He stated that the Ghanaian government has conveyed its intention through diplomatic channels for President Mahama to honor Koch, who studied at the University of Ghana. The Artemis II mission, organized by NASA, was the first crewed lunar flight in over 50 years, with astronauts traveling to the far side of the Moon and returning safely. Koch, a mission specialist on the Orion spacecraft, monitored critical systems and became the first woman to travel into deep space. Her connection to the University of Ghana through an exchange program adds further significance to her achievement.