Ghana’s Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has officially prohibited citizens from publicly using honourary doctorate and professorial titles. The regulatory body has announced plans to name and shame individuals who disregard the directive and may pursue legal action against repeat offenders.

• Ghana’s Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has banned the public usage of honorific doctorate and professorial titles.

• The directive aims to address misuse by politicians, religious leaders, and business figures, preserving academic integrity.

• Honorary degrees are symbolic recognitions, distinct from earned academic achievements such as PhDs and professorships.

In a statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director-General, Professor Augustine Ocloo, the commission expressed concern that the misuse of honourary titles—particularly by politicians, religious leaders and business figures—undermines the integrity of Ghana’s academic system.

Practice deemed misleading and unethical

The GTEC’s statement described the increasing public use of honourary titles as “deceitful and unethical”, warning that the trend erodes the value of genuine academic achievement.

“This notice goes especially to politicians, businessmen and businesswomen, men and women of God, and any other category of persons to desist from officially using the honourary doctorate and professorship titles in their everyday life,” the statement read.Clarifying the value of academic titles

Doctoral degrees (PhDs) are considered the pinnacle of academic achievement, awarded after rigorous study and original research culminating in a dissertation. A professorship, likewise, is the highest academic rank, earned through extensive scholarly contributions and peer recognition.

Conversely, honourary degrees are symbolic awards conferred by universities to individuals for their societal impact or achievements outside academia. These titles do not carry the academic rigour of earned degrees and should not be used as formal academic qualifications.

Concerns over degree mills and title abuse

GTEC has raised alarm over the rise of so-called "degree mills"—dubious institutions that issue honourary doctorate certificates for a fee. This growing phenomenon has contributed to a surge in the number of individuals falsely identifying as academic doctors or professors.

The commission aims to protect the sanctity of Ghana’s academic institutions by curbing the misuse of these titles and ensuring that academic recognition is earned through merit and scholarly effort. (Business insider Africa)