The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has issued a stern caution against the growing misuse of honorary academic titles such as “Doctor” and “Professor” by individuals who have not earned such credentials through academic rigor but have received them as honorary awards.
In a press statement released on April 25, GTEC expressed “deep concern” over the increasing prevalence of honorary doctorate degrees and professorial titles conferred by various institutions—both local and international. According to the Commission, the use of these titles by recipients as part of their names and credentials is misleading, unethical, and in contravention of Ghana’s Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023).
“These practices are deemed misleading and serve to misinform both the academic community and the general public,” the statement noted.
Honorary vs Earned Titles: A Clear Distinction
GTEC emphasized that while it does not oppose the responsible recognition of distinguished individuals through honorary titles, such honors must originate only from accredited and duly recognized institutions. More importantly, the Commission clarified that honorary titles must not be appended to recipients’ names, as doing so falsely elevates credentials and erodes the value of formal academic achievement.
“The appropriation of these honorary titles as part of the name of any recipient is deemed unethical,” GTEC stated, underlining its legal mandate to regulate academic nomenclature in Ghana.
Legal Framework and Regulatory Authority
Under Section 8 (3)(d) of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, GTEC holds the authority to regulate the use of academic terms and titles, including “university,” “college,” “Professor,” “Doctor,” and “Chartered.” The statement reaffirmed GTEC’s commitment to protecting the integrity of Ghana’s tertiary education system from reputational damage caused by the indiscriminate and inappropriate use of honorary academic titles.
Call to Action: Responsibility and Enforcement
GTEC called on individuals, educational institutions, and the broader public to uphold the dignity of Ghanaian higher education by refraining from the misuse of honorary academic titles. The Commission appealed for restraint from higher education institutions in the conferral of such honors and encouraged a culture of responsibility and academic honesty.
In a concluding warning, GTEC emphasized that persistent misuse of these titles could trigger sanctions. The Commission signaled its readiness to invoke its regulatory powers against individuals or institutions that flout the guidelines and mislead the public.
“To safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s higher education system, the Commission shall reserve the right to sanction those who deliberately dilute the value of true doctoral education,” the statement warned.
A National Call for Integrity
As Ghana continues to build a globally respected educational system, the GTEC’s statement comes as a clarion call for integrity, accountability, and transparency in the academic space. With academic achievements playing a pivotal role in national development, the misuse of titles not only undermines academic institutions but also devalues the efforts of genuine scholars and professionals.
The statement was signed by Dr. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of GTEC.