The People’s National Party (PNP) has officially petitioned the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to conduct a comprehensive audit of the academic credentials of political appointees under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
The call stems from growing public concern over the misuse of honorary and unearned academic titles by public officeholders.
The People’s National Party (PNP) has petitioned the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to audit the academic titles of ministers and deputies appointed by former President John Mahama.
The request focuses on verifying whether individuals using honorifics like “Doctor” or “Professor” actually earned them through accredited institutions.
This follows GTEC’s broader campaign launched in June 2025 to clamp down on the misuse of academic titles by public figures, particularly MPs and officials whose credentials may be honorary or unaccredited.
Recent enforcement actions have included GTEC demanding verification from MPs Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor and Desmond De Graft Paitoo, as well as Internal Audit Agency head Kwame Adom Frimpong.
The Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), allows for legal sanctions against such misuse.
While the PNP has framed the petition as a step toward transparency and merit-based governance, some NDC members allege the effort is politically motivated.
MP Paitoo, for instance, has denied claiming an earned doctorate and argued that any “Dr.” title he holds is honorary.
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has thrown its support behind GTEC’s enforcement drive, warning that unchecked use of honorary titles undermines academic credibility.
GTEC is expected to respond formally to the petition, with potential consequences including document verification demands or disciplinary action if titles are misrepresented.
The response could shape future enforcement standards around academic credentials for public officials.
The PNP’s petition to GTEC reflects a broader commitment to integrity and transparency in public appointments. As Ghana continues to emphasize educational standards, the verification (or rejection) of titles claimed by political appointees may become a critical litmus test of accountability across the national leadership.
Source: Myxyzonline.com
