The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has formally directed politician Hassan Ayariga to immediately stop using the academic title “Dr.”
This demand has arisen due to the absence of valid documentation that would justify the use of such a title.
In a letter dated July 14, 2025, and signed by Prof. Augustine Ocloo, the Commission’s Deputy Director-General, GTEC outlined its previous attempts to obtain clarification from Mr. Ayariga concerning the legitimacy of his doctoral title. Regrettably, these inquiries have gone unanswered, prompting the Commission to take this formal step.
Specifically, GTEC had requested essential information from Ayariga, including:
The name of the awarding institution.
Whether the doctorate was earned or honorary.
The date the degree was conferred.
The process through which it was granted.
In its communication, GTEC expressed serious concerns about the use of academic titles lacking proper validation, emphasizing that this practice is “misleading and inconsistent with the academic protocols and standards governing the conferment and use of academic ranks in Ghana.”
The letter explicitly stated, “In light of your inability to provide the required documentation, you are hereby directed to immediately cease the use of the title ‘Dr.’” Furthermore, GTEC demanded that Mr. Ayariga verify that the title has been removed from all public and professional platforms. This includes official documents, institutional profiles, websites, letterheads, and any other representations of his professional identity.
Even in his recent Press release against the embattled Igbo King in Accra, Mr. Ayariga described himself as Dr.
GTEC has granted Mr. Ayariga a deadline of July 31, 2025, to fully comply with this directive. The Commission has also warned that failure to adhere to the requirements could lead to legal action, underscoring the importance of maintaining academic standards and integrity in public life.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
