Refrain From Using The Title ‘Doctor’ – GTEC Warns GUTA President Joseph Obeng
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has formally cautioned the President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Mr. Joseph Obeng, over his continued public use of the title “Doctor.”
In a letter dated May 14, 2025, and signed by the Deputy Director-General of GTEC, Professor Augustine Ocloo, the Commission expressed concern over Mr. Obeng’s use of the honorary title “Dr.” without clarity on the institution that conferred it, the process involved, and the timeline.
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“The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission has noted your continuous use of the title ‘doctor,’ i.e., Dr. Joseph Obeng. The Commission would like to know the process, the time, and which institution awarded you the doctorate title,” the letter stated.
GTEC highlighted the growing trend of individuals in Ghana and abroad adopting honorary doctorates as formal academic titles, a development it described as unethical and in contravention of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023). According to the Commission, the appropriation of honorary titles without proper academic justification undermines the integrity of Ghana’s higher education system.
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As a result, GTEC has directed Mr. Obeng to immediately stop using the title “Dr.” in public unless he can substantiate the academic credentials that justify its use. “Please be informed that should the directive from the Commission be disregarded, the Commission reserves the right to invoke its regulatory functions to sanction you,” the letter warned.
This caution forms part of GTEC’s broader initiative to address the misuse of academic and honorary titles in Ghana. The Commission emphasized its commitment to preserving academic standards and called on all recipients of honorary titles to exercise personal responsibility.
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The warning to Mr. Obeng sets a precedent and serves as a clear signal to other individuals and public figures using unverified academic titles without appropriate qualification or approval from recognized institutions.
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