Dr. Patrick Essien, a lecturer at the University of Cape Coast and a TVET expert, has previously raised concerns about the indiscriminate awarding of honorary doctorate degrees and professorships in Ghana. He emphasized the need for institutions to uphold the integrity and value of academic qualifications. Dr. Essien called on the government to regulate unaccredited institutions and prevent them from awarding honorary titles and misusing academic credentials.
In response to these concerns, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has taken a significant step by issuing a communique aimed at regulating the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees and professorships. Dr. Essien has applauded this move, stressing that earning a doctorate should be the result of rigorous academic work—not simply recognition of fame.
The GTEC directive seeks to prevent the misuse of honorary titles and ensure that academic awards reflect genuine achievement. Dr. Essien described the move as a “wish fulfilled” for many Ghanaians and urged GTEC to establish strong regulatory structures. He emphasized that institutions lacking proper accreditation should be barred from awarding honorary degrees.
“As the regulatory body for tertiary education in Ghana,” Dr. Essien noted, “GTEC’s mandate includes formulating and coordinating policies, overseeing accreditation and quality assurance, and promoting equitable access to education. It is essential that these laws are enforced across all tertiary institutions in the country.”
Dr. Essien’s remarks highlight the importance of awarding academic qualifications based on merit and academic rigor, rather than popularity or influence. The GTEC communique, he concluded, represents a positive step toward building a more transparent, credible, and accountable higher education system in Ghana.
