The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed NDC’s Central Regional Chairman, Richard Kofi Asiedu, to stop using the title “Doctor,” stating his honorary degree cannot be recognized as an academic qualification.
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed Richard Kofi Asiedu, the Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and CEO of St. Andrews Group of Schools, to immediately stop using the title “Doctor.”
This comes after GTEC had earlier ordered him, on July 31, 2025, to cease using the title “Professor.” At the time, the Commission even threatened legal action if he failed to comply.
Honorary Degree Cannot Be Used as “Doctor” Title
According to GTEC, Asiedu’s use of the “Dr” title is incorrect, since the doctorate was honorary and therefore not eligible for academic recognition.
The Commission noted that, despite earlier warnings and his own acknowledgment that both the doctorate and the professorship were honorary, Asiedu continued to use “Dr” in official correspondence.
Official GTEC Letter
In a letter dated August 13, 2025, and signed by Prof. Augustine Ocloo, Deputy Director-General of GTEC, the Commission stressed that it had yet to receive reliable verification of Asiedu’s academic qualifications.
The letter, which was also forwarded to the Office of the President’s Chief of Staff, revealed that GTEC’s investigations confirmed the doctorate was honorary and therefore not valid for use as an earned academic title in public or official settings.
Excerpts from the Letter
The directive read in part:
“Despite prior communication and your own disclaimer regarding the use of the title ‘Professor’ and the nature of the Doctorate, the Commission has not received the required documentation. Intelligence available to the Commission indicates that the Doctorate in question is honorary.
As such, and in accordance with academic standards and protocols in Ghana, the use of the title ‘Dr’ in public or official capacities is not permissible for honorary degrees. Pending the submission and successful verification of a formally earned Doctorate certificate, you are hereby directed to immediately cease the use of the title ‘Doctor’ or the abbreviation ‘Dr’ in all official, professional and public contexts.”
Nationwide Campaign Against Fake Titles
GTEC emphasized that this action is part of a nationwide effort to sanitize the misuse of academic titles in Ghana. The Commission has raised concerns about the growing number of individuals who adopt unearned or honorary titles and present them as official academic achievements.
By clamping down on such practices, GTEC hopes to protect the integrity of academic qualifications and ensure that only properly earned degrees are recognized in Ghana.
