The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has escalated its campaign against the misuse of honorary titles and professorships, taking the unprecedented step of publicly naming and shaming prominent individuals who have consistently ignored warnings to cease using unearned academic designations. This decisive action follows repeated cautions and even threats of legal action from the commission.
This move by GTEC aims to preserve the integrity of Ghana’s academic system, which the commission believes is being undermined by the proliferation of individuals falsely identifying as academic doctors or professors. Honorary degrees and professorships are symbolic recognitions for societal contributions, distinct from earned academic achievements that require rigorous study and research.
Among those publicly called out by GTEC are:
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Rashid Tanko-Computer: The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC) has been instructed to “cease” using the “Doctor” title. GTEC’s letter, dated June 3, 2025, stated that his PhD, purportedly from Kingsnow University in 2016, was “unearned.” Tanko-Computer has been ordered to remove the title from all official records, websites, letterheads, and any other public or professional representations, and to provide proof of compliance.
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Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor: The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East has received an official notice from GTEC, urging her to stop using the doctorate title “Dr.” in all official and public communications due to the absence of verifiable academic credentials supporting its use.
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Desmond De-Graft Paitoo: The Member of Parliament for Gomoa East has also been directed by GTEC to stop using the “Dr” title. He has been asked to disclose whether the title was earned or honorary, name the awarding institution, and outline the conferment process, until which time he must desist from using the title.
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Kwame Adom-Frimpong: A board member of the Internal Audit Agency, Kwame Adom-Frimpong has been directed to provide a formal appointment or promotion letter from a recognized academic institution confirming his professorial status. Until such documentation is provided, he has been told to cease referring to himself as “Prof. Kwame Adom-Frimpong” or using the title altogether.
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Joseph Obeng: In a directive issued on May 17, 2025, GTEC instructed Dr. Joseph Obeng, President of the Ghana Traders Union Association, to immediately stop using the “Dr” title. GTEC stated there is no record of him being awarded the academic title and cautioned him that continued use would lead to disciplinary measures.
GTEC has previously warned that the misuse of honorary titles contravenes the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), and damages public confidence in the country’s educational system. The commission has stressed that only accredited institutions are permitted to award honorary degrees, and recipients should not present them as academic qualifications. This latest action signals GTEC’s firm resolve to enforce these regulations and uphold the integrity of Ghana’s higher education sector.
Source: http://thepressradio.com
