The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has been petitioned by the People’s National Party (PNP) to conduct a thorough audit into the academic titles of individuals appointed by the Mahama administration who bear the titles “Professor” and “Doctor.”
The petitioners a statement addressed to GTEC Director-General, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, the Chairperson and leader of the party, Janet Nabla, called for a comprehensive verification of all categories of academic qualifications — including diplomas, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees — with particular emphasis on those obtained from foreign institutions, and called on GTEC to verify the authenticity of the academic credentials and titles of the appointees.
According to the petitioners, the use of unverified or questionable titles by high-profile public officials undermines public confidence in Ghana’s educational and governance systems.
The petitioners have requested that GTEC publish its findings publicly, stressing that transparency is necessary to ensure accountability.
The letter stated that “The widespread use of fake certificates not only undermines the integrity of our educational system but also erodes public trust in governance and the credibility of our institutions.”
It added: “A country that fails to scrutinise the educational background of its leaders and workforce is bound to face persistent economic and governance challenges. Individuals who resort to fake certifications demonstrate a lack of integrity, and no nation can develop on the foundation of deceit.”
They also called on relevant law enforcement and regulatory bodies to take action against anyone found to have misrepresented their qualifications.
Earlier, the Founder and presidential candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga, was named among individuals using the academic title ‘Dr’.
Two Members of Parliament, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, MP for Awutu Senya East, and Desmond DeGraft Paitoo, MP for Gomoa East, all in the Central Region, had received correspondence from the GTEC asking them to refrain from using the honorary title Dr as part of their names in any official or public communication.
According to GTEC, the use of such titles—particularly when they lack academic legitimacy—violates the academic protocols that govern the conferment and recognition of academic distinctions in Ghana.
Meanwhile, GTEC said it will start arresting those who insist on using the honorary professorship for prosecution.
It said individuals using those titles based on honour awards violated the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), stressing that such acts would be treated as public deception and prosecuted accordingly.
