The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has issued a strong directive prohibiting individuals from using honorary doctorate degrees and professorial titles in public or official capacities. This move, aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the country’s higher education system, comes amid growing concerns over the misuse and abuse of academic titles by individuals who have not earned them through academic merit.
In a formal statement signed by the commission’s Acting Deputy Director General, Professor Augustine Ocloo, GTEC emphasized that it would begin a campaign to publicly name and shame violators and may initiate legal proceedings against persistent offenders.
“This notice goes especially to politicians, businessmen and businesswomen, men and women of God, and any other category of persons to desist from officially using the honorary doctorate and professorship titles in their everyday life,” the statement warned.
Rising Abuse of Academic Titles
The commission noted a disturbing trend where individuals, particularly public figures, adopt honorary titles such as “Dr.” or “Professor” without undergoing the rigorous academic process required to earn those designations. This, according to GTEC, not only misleads the public but also erodes trust in genuine academic qualifications and threatens the credibility of Ghana’s education system.
Doctorate degrees (PhD) are the highest academic qualifications awarded by universities after candidates have completed a structured program of advanced study and successfully defended a research dissertation. Similarly, the title of professor represents the pinnacle of academic achievement and is granted to scholars with extensive contributions to research, teaching, and knowledge dissemination.
Honorary doctorates, on the other hand, are typically symbolic recognitions awarded by universities to individuals for outstanding service or contributions to society. They do not reflect academic achievement or confer the same status as earned doctoral degrees.
However, the increase in “degree mills”—unauthorized institutions that sell honorary degrees for a fee—has made it easy for individuals to purchase such titles and use them to inflate their credentials. These practices, GTEC stressed, are unethical and potentially fraudulent.
Impact on Education and Society
Education experts and stakeholders have welcomed the directive, noting that the indiscriminate use of honorary titles has become rampant in Ghanaian society, particularly among politicians, business leaders, entertainers, and clergy. These individuals often use such titles to gain public trust, enhance their credibility, or lend weight to their public image.
“There’s a real danger when people with no academic training present themselves as experts or scholars,” said Dr. Kofi Asamoah, an education policy analyst. “It confuses the public and diminishes the value of those who have actually spent years in academic pursuit.”
The misuse of these titles, according to GTEC, could also encourage corruption and opportunism, especially in sectors like politics, where perceived educational qualifications can influence appointments or electoral success.
Enforcement Measures
To ensure compliance, GTEC is preparing to collaborate with academic institutions, professional bodies, and law enforcement agencies to identify individuals who continue to misuse academic titles. The commission has indicated that it may publish the names of offenders and take steps to have such titles legally revoked or disallowed in formal documents, media appearances, and public records.
“This is not just about academic protocol; it’s about restoring the sanctity of our education system,” the GTEC statement added.
GTEC has also urged the general public to verify the academic credentials of individuals claiming to hold doctoral or professorial titles, especially those not affiliated with recognized universities.
Moving Forward
The commission’s bold move signals a broader effort by Ghanaian authorities to uphold educational standards and protect the country’s academic institutions from reputational damage. It also reflects growing global concern over the commodification of academic credentials and the need to distinguish between honorary recognition and earned qualifications.
As the crackdown begins, observers hope it will prompt a cultural shift that values genuine learning and academic excellence over superficial titles and public image.
