1. Mandate of the Commission
In accordance with Section 8(4)(d) of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) is mandated to:
"Regulate the use of higher education nomenclature and titles including ‘university,’ ‘college,’ ‘emeritus,’ ‘professor,’ ‘doctor,’ ‘chartered,’ and related terms."
2. Background and Current Concern
The Commission has observed with growing concern the widespread and inappropriate use of honorary academic titles in Ghana. Despite repeated warnings issued to the public, the practice persists. In particular, GTEC notes the following:
- A number of individuals-particularly politicians, religious leaders, herbalists, and entrepreneurs-continue to use the title “Dr.” on the basis of honorary doctorate awards, in defiance of established guidelines.
- Some unaccredited institutions lacking the legal mandate to confer honorary degrees have begun awarding such degrees.
- Alarmingly, some recipients of honorary doctorate degrees have escalated their claims by adopting the title “Professor,” purporting to be “honorary professors.”
3. Clarifying Academic and Honorary Titles
a) Academic Degrees and Titles
Academic titles such as Doctor (PhD), Master (MSc), or Bachelor (LLB) are earned through rigorous, structured, and supervised educational programs. These involve coursework, examinations, original research, thesis defence, and external review.
Example: A PhD in Mechanical Engineering is conferred after years of coursework, research, and successful defence of a dissertation before an academic committee.
b) Honorary Degrees
Honorary degrees (e.g., Doctor of Letters, Honoris Causa) are symbolic recognitions awarded by accredited, chartered institutions. They acknowledge societal contributions, philanthropy, or leadership. However:
- They do not require academic coursework or research.
- They do not constitute formal academic qualifications.
- Recipients are not entitled to use academic titles such as “Dr” or “Prof.”
c) Use of "Honorary Professor"
For clarity, the term “honorary professor” is non-existent in Ghana’s tertiary education system. The title Professor is strictly reserved for academic staff who have progressed through the academic ranks:
Lecturer → Senior Lecturer → Associate Professor → Professor
Only a university's governing council may confer such a title, either through promotion or direct appointment with appropriate academic qualifications. Any individual claiming the title “honorary professor” is misleading the public and such conduct is fraudulent.
4. Improper Use of Honorary Titles
In line with international best practices, the following practices are prohibited:
- Use of the title “Dr” by honorary doctorate recipients.
- Use of the title “Professor (Prof)” based on unverified “honorary” awards.
- Adoption of the title “Professor” through visiting roles, where the home or host institution has not officially conferred the rank through a documented appointment process.
5. Risks of Misrepresentation
Using honorary titles in a manner that mimics earned academic designations misleads the public and undermines academic credibility. For instance, an individual who uses “Dr” based on an honorary award may be mistaken for a qualified medical doctor, academic, or researcher, creating ethical and legal risks.
6. Regulatory Framework and Sanctions
As stipulated in the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), GTEC underscores the following:
- Only accredited and chartered institutions may confer honorary degrees.
- No institution is permitted to award the title “honorary professor.”
- Honorary professor titles conferred by foreign bodies without legitimate academic standing are not recognized in Ghana by the Commission.
- Misuse of academic titles-such as “Doctor,” “Professor,” “University,” “Chartered,” etc.-constitutes an offence under the law.
Penalties for violations include:
- Fines up to 250 penalty units
- Imprisonment for up to one year
- Or both
GTEC reserves the right to investigate and sanction any individual or institution involved in the misuse or misrepresentation of academic titles.
7. Enforcement Action and Ongoing Investigations
As part of its enforcement operations, the Commission has initiated actions to name and shame individuals fraudulently using academic titles. These individuals are formally requested to submit documentation to verify their titles. Failure to comply may result in legal action.
8. Conclusion and Call to Action
The misuse of academic titles is often a deliberate and calculated act, typically intended to secure public recognition, financial advantage, or undeserved authority and influence. Such actions undermine academic integrity, mislead the public, and erode trust in legitimate educational institutions and credentials.
As the regulator of tertiary education in Ghana, GTEC affirms that:
- Honorary degrees do not confer academic or professional titles.
- Persons in possession of honorary degrees cannot prefix their names with “Dr” or “Prof”.
- It has not approved the use of the following titles in the country:
Ø Hon. Dr
Ø Dr. (Hon)
Ø Dr. (Hon. Caus)
Ø Hon. Prof.
Ø Prof. (Hon)
Ø Prof. (Hon. Caus)
- Individuals using these titles based on honorary awards are in violation of Act 1023.
- Such acts will be treated as public deception and prosecuted accordingly.
The Commission calls on the media, civil society, and the general public to support efforts to preserve the integrity of Ghana’s education system.