The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has issued a firm response to Hassan Ayariga’s continued use of the title “Dr.,” warning that the unauthorised use of honorary titles constitutes a criminal offense.
The caution follows the presidential aspirant and Founder of All People Congress’ (APC) failure to provide any documentation or institutional evidence to support his academic designation.
Addressing the issue, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of GTEC, clarified that institutions under the commission’s jurisdiction do not have the authority to confer honorary professor titles. He emphasised that such academic ranks must be earned, not awarded.
“We’ve had institutions that are affiliated to other institutions. They don’t even have the mandate to issue certificates and yet they are issuing honorary doctorates.
“And again, people have also raised concerns relative to the frequency with which institutions are issuing doctorates or honorary doctorates, where in real time they cannot even graduate their PhD students”
Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of GTEC
According to GTEC, titles conferred by foreign bodies without credible academic standing are not recognised within Ghana. “We don’t recognize honorary professors at all. We don’t,” Professor Abdulai stressed.
GTEC stated unequivocally that the unauthorised use of titles such as “Dr.,” “Professor,” or “Chartered” is a legal offense and will attract sanctions in accordance with Ghanaian law. He added that violations may result in a fine of up to 250 penalty units, imprisonment for up to a year, or both.
Responding to claims of ignorance by some offenders, Professor Abdulai made it clear that public unawareness does not exempt anyone from consequences. “Yeah, there are sanctions and let me state that this business of stopping people from the abuse is being done in stages.”
From Warnings to Prosecution
GTEC revealed a phased approach to dealing with the issue, beginning with public education and formal warnings. The Commission has since moved to public exposure of offenders and is prepared to initiate legal proceedings.
“If it doesn’t work, we will prosecute one or two people to serve as a deterrent to the general public,” Professor Abdulai disclosed.
He further explained that the misuse of academic designations is not limited to politicians or public figures, but includes individuals claiming academic professorships without qualification.
The Commission revealed plans to take the issue before its governing board for further deliberation, with the possibility of tightening oversight on institutions that purport to grant honorary titles.
“It’s something that we will have to look at,” Professor Abdulai said. He reiterated that the abuse of titles is not a new phenomenon, but GTEC’s current measures mark the beginning of a new enforcement regime. “It’s not an event, it’s a process,” he said.
The Commission’s stance signals a new resolve to clean up Ghana’s academic environment, especially in the context of increasing public scrutiny and the need to restore the integrity of legitimate academic achievement.
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