Former Minister of Education, Prof Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, has waded into the ongoing debate over the use of academic degrees and titles in Ghana, following recent interventions by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to revoke questionable qualifications.

In an article titled “Cleansing Academic Degrees and Titles Landscape: A Painful Exercise by GTEC”, Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi described the Commission’s actions as necessary to sanitise the academic space and urged institutions, employers, and the public to carefully scrutinise the credentials of individuals who parade academic titles.

The former Director-General of Education and Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast cautioned against the abuse of honorary doctorate titles and professorial ranks, which he said had become widespread.

“Universities the world over award honorary doctorate degrees in recognition of outstanding contributions.

However, these titles are increasingly misused, leading to confusion between earned doctorates and honorary ones,” he wrote, adding that some recipients now style themselves as “Dr. Dr. Dr.,” further complicating public understanding.

He cited Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education, which recently banned the use of honorary doctorate titles, as an example Ghana could learn from.

Instead of honorary doctorates, he suggested universities should explore other ways of recognition, such as naming structures, lectures, or prizes after deserving individuals.

On the misuse of professorial titles, Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi expressed concern that the distinction between Associate Professors and Professors had blurred in the public eye, creating room for abuse.

“It is not surprising that magicians, radio presenters, herbalists and others now relish the use of the title.

Close scrutiny of CVs is necessary to ascertain authenticity,” he stressed.

He further urged individuals to avoid using titles they have not legitimately earned, warning that it sets a bad example for younger generations aspiring to academic excellence.

“I commend our past Heads of State for avoiding the use of honorary doctorate titles.

Let’s emulate them,” he advised, adding that in many jurisdictions, politicians prefer to be addressed as ‘Honourable’, which he described as “a very special title.”