
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has intensified its efforts to curb the inappropriate use of unearned academic titles, extending its scrutiny to members of Parliament. This move follows growing concerns over individuals, including lawmakers, adopting honorary designations such as “Doctor” without possessing the requisite academic qualifications.
On June 16, 2025, GTEC formally notified two Central Region MPs—Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor of Awutu Senya East and Desmond De-Graft Paitoo of Gomoa East—to cease using the honorary title “Doctor” in their official and public engagements. The Commission stressed that such unauthorized usage, particularly when unsupported by legitimate academic credentials, is misleading and contravenes Ghana’s academic regulations.
GTEC highlighted that this practice has become widespread, undermining ethical standards and violating provisions of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), along with other higher education laws. In its correspondence to Okunor, who was recently appointed to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Board, GTEC demanded the immediate discontinuation of the title and required documented proof of its removal from all official platforms, including letterheads, websites, and public profiles.
Similarly, in a June 3, 2025 letter to Paitoo, GTEC instructed him to stop using the “Doctor” title pending verification of its legitimacy. The Commission sought clarification on the awarding institution, the nature of the degree (whether earned or honorary), the date of conferment, and the process through which it was granted.
GTEC warned that failure to comply could trigger regulatory actions, including legal sanctions. The Commission set a deadline of June 30, 2025, for the MPs to respond and demonstrate compliance.
This enforcement underscores GTEC’s commitment to upholding academic integrity and ensuring that titles reflect genuine qualifications, safeguarding public trust in educational and professional credentials.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com