The campaign to sanitise the use of unearned academic titles in Ghana has been extended to the House of Parliament, where some members of Parliament have been cited for joining the increasing trend of individuals using those unearned titles.
As of Monday, June 16, 2025, two members of Parliament in the persons of Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, and Desmond DeGraft Paitoo, Member of Parliament for Gomoa East, all in the Central Region had received correspondence from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) asking them to refrain from using the honorary titles “Doctor” (Dr) as part of their names in any official or public communication.
According to GTEC, the use of such titles particularly where they lack academic validation, can be misleading and is inconsistent with the established academic protocols governing the conferment and use of academic distinction in Ghana.
It said the continuous use of such honorary titles, which was on the increase in recent times in Ghana is considered unethical and is in violation of several provisions of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023) and other relevant statutes governing higher education in Ghana.
Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor – MP for Awutu Senya East
GTEC in a letter dated June 16 addressed to Naa Koryoo Okunor for example, who was recently appointed and sworn in as a member of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Board requested her to cease the use of the “Doctor” title.
Additionally, GTEC has directed her to submit verifiable evidence that the title has been removed from all relevant platforms, including but not limited to official documents, institutional profiles, websites, letterheads and any other public or professional representations.
“The Commission expects your full cooperation in this matter and looks forward to receiving confirmation of compliance at your earliest convenience.” the letter indicated.
Dominic DeGraft Paitoo – MP for Gomoa East
For Dominic DeGraft Pailtoo, the MP for Gomoa East, GTEC in a letter dated June 3, 2025, directed him to stop using the “Doctor” title until he provided clarification on the awarding institution of the doctoral title; whether the degree was earned or honorary; when it was conferred and the process through which the title was conferred.
GTEC requested the Gomoa East MP to take full responsibility for this matter and immediately refrain from using the honorary title “Doctor” (Dr) as part of his name in any official or public communication.
It also advised that failure to comply with this directive may compel the Commission to exercise its regulatory mandate, including the imposition of appropriate sanctions in accordance with the law.
“We would appreciate receiving your response not later than 30th June, 2025,” it added.
Kwame Adom-Frimpong
For Kwame Adom-Frimpong of the Internal Audit Agency, GTEC, in a letter dated June 16, 2025, raised an issue with his continued use of the academic title “Professor,” specifically in reference to himself as “Prof Kwame Adom-Frimpong”.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission wishes to express its concern regarding the use of the unearned academic titles. The use of such titles, particularly where they lack formal academic validation, is potentially misleading and does not align with the established academic protocols governing the use of academic ranks in Ghana.”
“In the light of the above, the Commission is requesting you submit a copy of the letter from a recognised institution appointing or promoting you to the rank of associate professor or professor. Otherwise, you are requested as a matter of urgency to cease the use of the title “Professor.”
“You are further required to provide verifiable evidence that the title has been withdrawn from all relevant platforms, including but not limited to official documents, institutional profiles, websites, letterheads, and any other public or professional representations,” the letter added.
It said the commission was expecting his full cooperation in addressing the matter and looked forward to his prompt compliance.
The use of such titles, particularly where they lack formal academic validation, is potentially misleading and does not align with the established academic protocols governing the use of academic ranks in Ghana.
Graphic Online understands that GTEC in separate letters to the two have them acknowledged their continued use of the academic title “Doctor”
The commission has therefore asked them to provide clarification on the awarding institution of the doctoral title, whether
the degree was earned or honorary, when it was conferred and the process through which the title was conferred.
GTEC in the letter to them expressed serious concern about the increasing trend of individuals in Ghana adopting honorary doctorates-such as the one associated with names as academic or professional titles.
“These degrees, often conferred by institutions withing and outside Ghana, do not carry the academic equivalence of earned doctoral qualifications
In a letter dated June 16, 2025, GTEC expressed concern over the continued use of unearned academic titles, emphasising that such practices can be misleading and undermine established academic protocols in Ghana.
GTEC’s Deputy Director-General, Prof. Augustine Ocloo, stated that the use of unearned titles, whether conferred by institutions within Ghana or abroad, is inconsistent with the standards governing the conferment and use of academic distinctions in the country.