The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has officially directed Richard Kofi Asiedu, Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and CEO of St. Andrews Group of Schools, to immediately stop using the academic title “Dr.”
In a formal letter dated August 13, 2025, and signed by GTEC’s Deputy Director-General, Professor Augustine Ocloo, the Commission stated that Mr. Asiedu’s continued use of the title “Dr” is inappropriate, as it is based on an honorary doctorate and not an earned academic qualification.
The letter referenced prior communications where Mr. Asiedu had been asked to submit documentation validating his highest academic credentials, including his doctoral certificate. Despite those requests and his own admission that his title of “Professor” and doctorate were not formally earned, GTEC confirmed that no academic documentation had been submitted for evaluation.
"Intelligence available to the Commission indicates that the Doctorate in question is honorary," the letter stated. "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."
As a result, GTEC has directed Mr. Asiedu to refrain from using the “Dr” title in all official, professional, and public contexts unless he can provide verifiable proof of an earned doctoral degree.
"Pending submission and successful verification of a formally earned doctorate degree certificate, you are hereby directed to cease the use of the title ‘Doctor’ or the abbreviation ‘Dr’ in all official, professional, and public contexts," the letter emphasized.
The Commission further warned that the use of unearned academic titles poses a risk to the credibility of the country’s education system.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission takes a serious view of the use of unearned academic titles, whether conferred locally or internationally, that do not meet the criteria for formal academic validation. The public use of such titles may be misleading and undermine the integrity of the academic system,” the statement added.
Additionally, Mr. Asiedu has been instructed to remove the title “Dr” from all professional platforms and institutional materials, including websites, official documents, letterheads, and biographies. He is also required to submit evidence of compliance to the Commission.
GTEC concluded by expressing its expectation of full cooperation from Mr. Asiedu and requested written confirmation once the directive has been fully implemented.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
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