The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has awarded honorary doctorates to the owner of Ghana’s leading Petroleum Haulage Company, Joseph K. Horgle, the Founder and Executive Chairman of J.K. Horgle Transport and Company Limited, among others, for their exceptional contributions to academia and industry.
UPSA also conferred a posthumous honorary doctorate to former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings in recognition of her dedicated service to Ghana, while Professor Joshua Alabi, a former Vice-Chancellor of the school, was likewise honoured with an honorary doctorate.
The honours were bestowed during the fifth session of UPSA’s 17th Congregation, held at the University’s main campus in Accra, on Thursday, 5 December 2025.
This is not the first time J.K. Horgle and his company have received such recognition. The company, which specializes in Cargo & Freight, seeks to make a positive and sustainable impact on society by transporting fuel and allied petroleum products in an environmentally safe and cost-effective manner.
In May this year, Vivo Energy Ghana, the exclusive marketer and distributor of Shell-branded products and services, awarded J.K. Horgle Transport and Company Limited as the overall Haulier of the Year 2024.
In December last year, Mr Horgle received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering contributions to the oil and gas sector in Ghana and beyond. The prestigious honour underscores his exceptional leadership in transforming his company into a benchmark of sustainability, innovative service delivery, and decent employment.
In July last year, J. K Horgle and Co. Limited was awarded Ghana’s Most Outstanding Transport Company of the Year at the inaugural Ghana Downstream Awards and Gala Night held at the luxurious Alisa Hotel, North Ridge – Accra. On the same evening, the Group CEO, Mr Horgle, received a special recognition award for his exceptional efforts as a pioneer in the haulage of petroleum products nationwide.
Since its founding, JK Horgle Transport Company has revolutionised the West African Petroleum Logistics sector by fostering indigenous excellence through strict training, ongoing supervision, and efficient practices.
JK Horgle Transport Company began as an entrepreneurial dream over forty years ago, operating as a bulk-peddling transporter and a private, unregistered distributor in the petroleum sector, founded by Mr Horgle.
Entering the late 70s, it became a bulk product transporter for Shell Petroleum in Ghana, then operating under the business name of Texaco. Mr Horgle led the business successfully until it was incorporated as a limited liability company in 2003, under registration number CS269732013 and Tax Identification Number C0002561336.
The company has since expanded to over 400 contracted active trucks, including a 10% reserve for spot hires and maintenance replacements. It operates offices in Tema, Takoradi, Kumasi, and Buipe, employing more than 500 staff, which includes 400 professional drivers, 200 driver assistants, and 51 supervisory and managerial personnel.
JK. Horgle remains its principal officer and Managing Director – Majority Shareholder, along with five registered directors. The company is entirely owned by the Horgle Family. It has the capacity to transport diesel, petrol, aviation fuel, kerosene, condensate, and all other light petroleum distillates.
The company has a fleet of vehicles to safely transport all heavy fuel oils, including Bitumen, RFO, and MGO.
It is also involved in the transportation of both bulk lubricant in tankers and packed lubricant in cargo vehicles of various capacities ranging from 4 tons to 30 tons, as well as a well-maintained fleet of gas trucks that transport LPG across the breadth of the country.
The UPSA ceremony additionally marked the graduation of postgraduate students from the School of Graduate Studies, including recipients of Doctor of Philosophy and Master’s degrees.
Programmes awarded included the PhD in Marketing; the MPhil in Accounting, Finance and Leadership; the MSc in Procurement Management; the MSc in Leadership and Organisational Development; the MA in Peace, Security and Intelligence Management; the MA in Brands and Communications Management; and the MA in Digital and Strategic Marketing Management.
Speaking on behalf of the honourees, Professor Alabi described the recognition as a celebration of their collective journey as scholars, contributors and nation-builders.
“This recognition is not merely an award; it symbolises a collective story of faith, resilience and transformation,” he said.
He encouraged the public to demonstrate patriotism and a commitment to excellence in service to humanity, and urged students to remain diligent and persistent even in challenging circumstances.
Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, praised the honourees for their commitment to national development, describing their achievements as exemplary and a source of inspiration to younger generations.
He encouraged the graduating students to emulate the honourees’ dedication and strive for excellence in their own paths.
“Your future may not unfold exactly as planned. You may not begin where you dream to be, but whatever opportunity comes your way, seize it with grace, humility and excellence,” he said.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings died at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital in Accra on October 23, 2025, at the age of 76. She was later accorded a state-assisted burial on November 28.
