'Misuse of Honorary Titles Undermines Legitimate Qualifications' - GTEC

Apr 7, 2025 - 11:19

Prof. Ahmed Abdulai Jinapor is the Director General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission(GTEC)

Accra, Ghana - 07 April, 2025 - The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission(GTEC) has sounded the alarm on the increasing misuse of honorary academic titles, which threatens to undermine the credibility of the country's higher education system.

According to the commission, the practice of using honorary doctorates and professorial titles as part of one's name or credentials is not only misleading but also damaging to the academic community.

The commission's concerns stem from the growing trend of individuals using honorary titles conferred by various institutions, both within Ghana and abroad. This has led to confusion among students, academics, and the general public, ultimately eroding the value of genuine academic achievements.

In response, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission in a statement, is urging individuals and institutions to adhere to regulations governing the use of academic titles.

The Commission added that the public that it has the authority to regulate academic titles and terms like "Doctor," "Professor," "University," and "Emeritus" under Section 8 (3)(d) of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act. This law empowers GTEC to oversee the proper use of these titles and terminology within Ghana's education system

"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."

"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," the statement added.

"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."

Read the full statement from GTEC below