The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has announced its intention to carry out a forensic audit of all staff appointments and promotions at the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS) in Navrongo, Upper East Region. This decision comes amid allegations of procedural breaches during the tenure of the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Albert Luguterah.
The audit follows the controversial appointment of Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the current Acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), as an Associate Professor. GTEC contends that the standard processes required for such an academic appointment were not followed. According to the Commission, Dr. Akoriyea’s application did not pass through the appropriate Department, Faculty, or undergo assessment by External Evaluators as mandated.
A letter dated September 10, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman of the University Council, expressed concern over what GTEC described as a “significant procedural breach.” The Commission directed the University Council to investigate the Vice-Chancellor's role in the matter and submit a formal report by September 30, 2025.
Unauthorized Use of Academic Title
In a related development, GTEC raised concerns over Dr. Akoriyea's use of the academic title “Professor.” A petition from a member of the public challenged the legitimacy of this designation. Following an internal review, GTEC concluded that there was no verifiable evidence that Dr. Akoriyea had ever held a substantive, full-time academic position or progressed through the established academic ranks: Lecturer → Senior Lecturer → Associate Professor → Professor.
A letter from GTEC dated September 1, 2025, and signed by Deputy Director-General Prof. Augustine Ocloo, noted that CKT-UTAS had confirmed promoting Dr. Akoriyea to the rank of Professor. However, GTEC clarified that Dr. Akoriyea’s part-time designation does not equate to a tenured academic appointment and, therefore, does not confer the right to use the title “Professor.”
GTEC further directed the university to either withdraw the appointment or formally notify Dr. Akoriyea that it was a non-tenured, single-term appointment that does not carry the entitlement of a professorial title.
Repeated Procedural Violations
Despite clear directives from GTEC, the Commission noted that the university had proceeded to submit Dr. Akoriyea’s application for consideration as Associate Professor (Clinical Professor) to the Appointments and Promotions Board.
GTEC’s letter highlighted the following:
- Dr. Akoriyea is not a staff member of CKT-UTAS.
- Proper procedure requires his application to be evaluated through the Department, Faculty, and by External Assessors.
- Dr. Akoriyea was already being referred to as “Professor” as early as 2024, when he applied for a part-time role in the Department of Anaesthesia.
Given the seriousness of these infractions, GTEC has instructed the University’s Appointments and Promotions Board not to entertain or consider the application.
Forensic Audit Announcement
GTEC has formally informed the University Council that it will launch a forensic audit of all appointments and promotions conducted under Vice-Chancellor Luguterah’s leadership. The objective is to assess the extent of procedural non-compliance and ensure the credibility of academic standards.
The Commission emphasized that the date for the audit will be communicated in due course and urged the University Council to treat the matter with urgency and seriousness.
Key Directives from GTEC:
- Investigate the Vice-Chancellor’s role in procedural breaches.
- Submit a formal report to GTEC by September 30, 2025.
- Withdraw or clarify Dr. Akoriyea’s appointment.
- Suspend any further consideration of Dr. Akoriyea’s application.
- Prepare for an upcoming forensic audit of all academic appointments and promotions during the current administration.
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