The People’s National Party (PNP) has urged the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to conduct a comprehensive audit into the academic credentials of all government appointees and public sector employees.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 30, by the party’s Leader and Chairperson, Janet Asana Nabla, she noted that the scope of the audit must not be restricted to PhD holders alone, but should also encompass individuals with diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s qualifications.

"I write to formally call on the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to initiate a thorough and
transparent investigation into the authenticity of educational documents submitted by all individuals appointed under the Mahama administration. This should not be limited to PhD holders, but must extend to persons with Diplomas, Bachelor's degrees, and Master's degrees as well," she noted.

The call follows growing concerns over the rising incidence of forged academic certificates in the country. Recently, GTEC has announced plans to start arresting those who insist on using honorary professorship for prosecution.

According to GTEC, individuals using those titles based on honour awards violated the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), stressing that such acts would be treated as public deception and prosecuted accordingly.

Read also: GTEC to prosecute fake honorary doctorate holders 

As part of broader reforms, the party is proposing that GTEC establish a secure and publicly accessible digital database to catalogue all genuine certificates issued by accredited institutions within Ghana.

Such a move, the PNP argues, would empower public and private sector employers to authenticate academic records before making appointments or employment decisions.

"We strongly recommend that GTEC develop and maintain a secure and accessible online database containing information on all legitimate certificates issued by accredited institutions in Ghana. This will enable both public and private employers to verify academic credentials before offering appointments or
employment. Such a system will ensure that only qualified individuals occupy critical roles in national development."

In addition, the PNP recommends the introduction of a mandatory GTEC Monitoring and Evaluation Fee to be paid by all entrants into tertiary institutions. This initiative, according to the party, "ensures independent and sustainable funding by introducing a mandatory fee to be paid by all students entering tertiary institutions. This "GTEC Monitoring and Evaluation Fee" will support the ongoing verification, monitoring, and assessment of academic certificates."

The PNP urged GTEC to act swiftly in the interest of national accountability, institutional credibility, and the preservation of the country’s academic and professional standards.