Members of Parliament (MPs) have been advised to stop using academic and professional titles such as “Professor” and “Doctor” because those titles were not earned.
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has raised concerns about the growing trend of individuals using academic titles without formal validation, describing the practice as misleading and inconsistent with established academic standards in the country.
This was made known after two MPs, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, MP for Awutu Senya East, and Desmond DeGraft Paitoo, MP 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 when they lack academic legitimacy—violates the academic protocols that govern the conferment and recognition of academic distinctions 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.”
Naa Koryoo Okunor – MP for Awutu Senya East
In a letter dated June 16, 2025, GTEC directed Naa Koryoo Okunor, MP for Awutu Senya East and newly appointed member of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Board, to stop using the title “Doctor.”
Additionally, the Commission asked her to provide evidence that the title has been removed from all public and official representations, including documents, institutional profiles, websites, and letterheads.
“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
Similarly, on June 3, 2025, GTEC issued a directive to Dominic DeGraft Paitoo, MP for Gomoa East, instructing him to refrain from using the title “Doctor” unless he could clarify the nature of the doctoral degree—whether earned or honorary—the awarding institution, the date of conferment, and the conferment process.
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.
The Commission warned of potential sanctions if the directive is ignored.
“We would appreciate receiving your response not later than 30th June, 2025,” it added.
Kwame Adom-Frimpong – Internal Audit Agency
GTEC also wrote to Kwame Adom-Frimpong of the Internal Audit Agency on June 16, 2025, over his use of the title “Professor” 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.”
GTEC requested that he produce documentation proving he had been appointed or promoted to the rank of Associate Professor or Professor by a recognised institution.
“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.'”
He is also expected to show evidence that the title has been removed from all relevant platforms.
“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.
GTEC emphasised the importance of full cooperation and prompt compliance with its directives.
General concerns
The Commission reiterated that: “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.”
GTEC has therefore asked those involved to clarify the institution that awarded the degree, specify whether it was earned or honorary, and detail the conferment process.
In a broader statement dated June 16, 2025, the Commission warned about the increasing trend of individuals adopting honorary titles—especially honorary doctorates—as part of their professional identity.
“These degrees, often conferred by institutions within and outside Ghana, do not carry the academic equivalence of earned doctoral qualifications.”
GTEC’s Deputy Director-General, Prof. Augustine Ocloo, stressed that such practices undermine academic integrity 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.
