The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has raised serious concerns about the growing misuse of honorary doctorates and professorial titles.
The Commission says this misuse is particularly concerning as these titles are increasingly being conferred by various institutions both within Ghana and abroad.
GTEC, in a statement, said it has observed a rising trend of individuals using the titles “Doctor” (Dr.) and “Professor” (Prof.) after receiving honorary awards.
The Commission has warned that this practice is misleading and could damage the credibility of both the academic community and public trust in the nation’s higher education system.
In an official statement, GTEC made it clear that it is committed to preserving the integrity of academic qualifications and the educational sector as a whole.
“The use of honorary titles as part of an individual’s name or credentials is unethical,” the Commission stated. “Such actions contravene several provisions of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), as well as other relevant laws governing the education sector in Ghana.”
While GTEC acknowledges the value of recognising individuals for their outstanding contributions to society, it insists that honorary degrees should only be conferred by accredited and recognised institutions within Ghana’s higher education system.
Furthermore, once awarded, these honorary titles should not be used as part of a recipient’s name.
“The use of these honorary titles as part of someone’s name misleads the public about their true academic credentials,” GTEC explained.
“This practice undermines the value of genuine doctoral education and can cause confusion among students, academics, and the general public,” it added.
The Commission also reminded the public of its legal mandate under Section 8 (3)(d) of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, which empowers GTEC to regulate the use of academic titles and terminology, including terms such as “Doctor”, “Professor”, “University”, and “Emeritus”.
GTEC is calling on individuals and institutions to comply with these regulations and work together to protect the integrity of academic qualifications.
“Misuse of honorary titles diminishes the prestige of legitimate academic qualifications and erodes public trust in the educational system,” the commission said .
We urge all stakeholders to act responsibly and refrain from misusing these titles. If this practice continues, GTEC reserves the right to exercise its regulatory powers and impose sanctions on individuals or institutions found in violation.”
Through this call, GTEC aims to ensure that Ghana’s higher education system remains credible, and that the value of authentic academic achievements is preserved for the benefit of all students and stakeholders.
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