Ghana Bans Public Use of Honorary Doctorates and Professorships

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has taken a decisive stance against the misuse of honorary academic titles. In a statement issued on June 10, 2025, GTEC directed that individuals should no longer publicly use honorary doctorate or professorship titles. The commission described the practice as “unethical and misleading,” warning that anyone flaunting such titles—especially public figures like politicians, corporate leaders, and religious figures—would face public exposure and legal consequences .

GTEC emphasized that the rampant and fraudulent use of honorary titles is eroding the integrity of genuine academic achievement. It expressed concern that the proliferation of unearned doctorates from “degree mills” is diminishing the value of legitimate qualifications like PhDs and professorships earned through rigorous research and peer-reviewed scholarship .

To enforce compliance, GTEC plans to employ a combination of public shaming and legal measures. The commission has vowed to “name and shame” offenders and pursue legal action where necessary. Authorities have explicitly identified politicians, businesspeople, and clergy among those targeted by this directive .

This move reflects a broader effort to restore credibility within Ghana’s higher education system. By prohibiting the misuse of honorary titles, GTEC aims to reinforce respect for academic merit and shield the educational domain from being exploited for personal prestige .

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