In a significant move to uphold academic integrity and enforce national standards, The Methodist Church Ghana has announced a new directive requiring all its reverend ministers and lay employees to validate their doctoral qualifications.
The church has issued a directive that all active ministers holding doctorate degrees must submit copies of their academic certificates for verification with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) by September 30, 2025. This verification process is mandatory for the continued use of doctoral titles within the church's official records and communications.
Lay persons employed by the church who wish their doctoral degrees to be recognized in official church records are also required to comply with this directive.
The announcement was made today by the Presiding Bishop of The Methodist Church Ghana, Most Reverend Professor Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, during the ongoing 13th Expanded General Purposes Council (EGPC) meeting in Cape Coast.
Bishop Asamoah-Gyadu has instructed all bishops and Synod Secretaries to ensure the directive is communicated and implemented across all dioceses. He emphasized that the measure is a proactive step to safeguard the institution's credibility.
“This initiative is not about witch-hunting; it is about ensuring institutional integrity and compliance with national regulations,” stated Most Rev. Professor Asamoah-Gyadu. “We must take preemptive action to avoid any potential embarrassment to the church. This is a serious matter, as it pertains not only to our national reputation but also to the authentic representation of academic achievement.”
This policy aligns with GTEC's ongoing national campaign to curb the proliferation and use of unearned academic titles, a phenomenon that has seen a concerning rise in recent times. GTEC has previously directed several high-profile individuals to cease using unverified qualifications.
The Methodist Church Ghana’s decision follows a similar move by the Assemblies of God Church, which recently instructed its ministers to adhere to GTEC's regulations on academic titles. Most Rev. Professor Asamoah-Gyadu commended the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Reverend Dr. Stephen Wengam, for his leadership on this issue.
The Expanded General Purposes Council (EGPC) serves as an extension of the church's highest decision-making body. It was established to enhance strategic planning and policy oversight, addressing the evolving needs of the church in a dynamic social and spiritual environment.
This year’s EGPC meeting is held in conjunction with the grand durbar celebration of the church’s 190th anniversary.