GTEC Cracks Down on Honorary Title Misuse
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has announced strict new measures to clamp down on the misuse of honorary doctorate and professorial titles across the country.
According to a statement released by GTEC on Tuesday, the move is crucial to protect the integrity of Ghana’s higher education system and prevent the public from being misled by individuals improperly using these accolades.
Director-General of GTEC, Ahmed Jinapor Abdula, expressed the Commission’s growing concern over the increasing number of people styling themselves as “Dr” or “Prof” after receiving honorary awards from various institutions, both within Ghana and internationally.
“These honours, while valuable as symbolic recognition, do not equate to academic qualifications and should not be used as part of an individual’s official name or professional identity,” the statement emphasized.
GTEC is invoking its authority under Section 8 (3)(d) of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023) to regulate the use of higher education titles. Individuals found to be flouting these rules will face sanctions.
The Commission further directed that only accredited and recognised Ghanaian tertiary institutions are permitted to award honorary degrees. It also urged all institutions to exercise caution when conferring such honours, to safeguard the credibility of legitimate academic achievements.
GTEC is appealing to the public to be vigilant and reject the misuse of these titles. It is also encouraging individuals to refrain from adding honorary titles to their official credentials.
“Persistent disregard for these directives will result in regulatory intervention,” GTEC warned. “Individuals and institutions intentionally misusing honorary academic titles will be sanctioned to protect the value of earned doctorates and professorships.”
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the standards of Ghana’s tertiary education landscape, calling for collaborative efforts to uphold academic integrity and public trust.
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