–BY Issah Olegor
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has formally cautioned the President of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), Joseph Obeng, over his continued use of the title “Doctor” (Dr.), which the Commission says contravenes educational laws if based solely on an honorary degree.
In a letter dated May 14, 2025, and addressed directly to Mr Obeng, GTEC expressed “deep concern” over the growing trend of individuals using honorary doctorates as formal academic titles, particularly in public and professional domains.
The Commission questioned the legitimacy of Obeng’s claim to the title and demanded clarification on when, how, and from which institution the title was awarded.
The letter, signed by Professor Augustine Ocloo, Deputy Director-General of GTEC, emphasized that while honorary degrees are symbolic recognitions often awarded for contributions to society or a specific field, they do not confer the right to use the “Dr.” prefix in a manner that implies academic qualification.
GTEC referenced the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), which prohibits the misrepresentation of academic credentials and titles within Ghana’s regulated education framework.
According to GTEC, the use of honorary titles such as “Dr.” in official or public capacities without proper academic accreditation is both unethical and potentially misleading to the public.
The Commission warned Obeng that failure to comply with this directive could lead to regulatory sanctions under its enforcement mandate.
This intervention comes amid increasing scrutiny of public figures and professionals in Ghana who use honorary degrees to gain social or professional leverage.
Education stakeholders have raised concerns about the erosion of academic integrity and the proliferation of questionable institutions — some of which operate outside national quality assurance frameworks — bestowing such titles without rigorous academic requirements.
Obeng, a well-known advocate for the trading community and a frequent voice on national economic issues, has consistently used the “Dr.” title in media engagements, public appearances, and correspondence, leading to growing calls for verification of his credentials.
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission has in recent years intensified its oversight of tertiary institutions and educational claims, pushing for transparency and authenticity in academic recognition.
In 2023, the Commission published guidelines outlining acceptable academic titles and warned institutions against issuing or endorsing unregulated degrees.
With this latest letter, GTEC reinforces its stance on the need for professional integrity and the importance of safeguarding the credibility of academic and honorary titles.
The Commission concluded its correspondence by urging Obeng to exercise personal responsibility in the matter and desist from further use of the honorary title.
