A countrywide order has been implemented by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) in an effort to stop the increasing abuse, sale, and improper issuance of honorary degrees by certain higher education institutions nationwide.
The new policy, which was released on December 8, 2025, and approved by Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of GTEC, warns that the unrestrained proliferation of honorary titles, often caused by unapproved agencies and questionable partnerships, is damaging Ghana’s reputation internationally and undermining academic credibility.
The framework, according to GTEC, is based on the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023) and lays forth universal guidelines that all licensed private institutions and public universities must follow.
Additionally, the Commission reiterated its power to look into, interrogate, or punish any organization that disobeys the rules.
According to the instruction, it is highly forbidden for institutions without accreditation, colleges under mentorship arrangements, and outside organizations without approval to award honorary degrees in Ghana.
According to GTEC, any such acknowledgements will be deemed invalid.
The Commission further emphasized that honorary awards should not be connected to monetary contributions, political agendas, or private gain. Sanctions, including the potential suspension of their ability to award honorary degrees, will be imposed on universities that seem to make these distinctions excessively or without a valid reason.
The misuse of honorary titles is one of the policy’s main concerns. It makes it clear that holders of honorary degrees are not allowed to use the title “Dr.” in public. Institutions must inform recipients of this norm, and those who misrepresent their status run the possibility of having their honor revoked.
Universities must perform background checks, keep an official registry of all honorary degrees awarded, and maintain thorough records of nominations and evaluations in order to foster accountability.
Additionally, GTEC has the authority to revoke any award that is determined to have been obtained fraudulently or unlawfully.
The regulation aims to protect Ghana’s tertiary landscape’s legitimacy, end the monetization of honorary titles, and rebuild trust in academic recognition, according to GTEC, which described the step as urgent and crucial.
The directive goes into effect right away.
Source: newsthemegh.com