The Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Professor Ahmed Abdulai Jinapor, has clarified that the Commission’s recent action against the misuse of honorary titles is not politically motivated.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, July 4, Prof. Jinapor emphasized that the move aims to restore order in Ghana’s tertiary education system. He explained that while honorary titles like “Doctor” and “Professor” recognize societal contributions, they are not academic qualifications and should not be used as such.
“Our goal is to clean up and regulate the academic space. The misuse of titles, especially professorships, is alarming. Many people parade as professors without academic basis. We’re not targeting politicians, it’s a broader issue,” he stressed.
Recent weeks have seen GTEC formally cautioning individuals, including Awutu Senya East MP, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, and Sofo Rashid Tanko, Acting CEO of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), to stop using “Doctor” due to lack of academic credentials.
Prof. Jinapor noted that while most individuals comply once notified, some continue to resist.
“Only a few are stubborn and defiant. Most respond positively when contacted,” he added.
He further explained that the misuse of honorary titles spans various sectors, not just politics.
“The publicized cases are just a snapshot of a much larger issue. This abuse cuts across professions.”
The initiative, part of GTEC’s broader strategy to sanitize Ghana’s tertiary education landscape, has drawn both praise and criticism. However, the Commission insists it will not back down from enforcing academic integrity.
