The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has formally directed political figure Hassan Ayariga to immediately stop using the title “Dr.”, citing a lack of verifiable documentation to support its legitimacy.

In a letter dated July 14, sighted by GraphicOnline, GTEC accused Ayariga of failing to provide evidence clarifying the origin and nature of his doctoral title despite prior requests. The Commission demanded:

- The name of the awarding institution,

- Confirmation of whether the degree was earned or honorary,

- The date of conferment

- Details of the academic process followed.

“To date, the Commission has not received any response from you. This continued silence is unacceptable,” GTEC stated. It further warned that the unauthorised use of academic titles “is misleading and inconsistent with the academic protocols and standards governing the conferment and use of academic ranks in Ghana.”

The directive mandates Ayariga to remove the title from all platforms—including official documents, websites, and letterheads—by July 31, 2025, or face legal action.

The letter, signed by Prof. Augustine Ocloo, Deputy Director-General (acting for the Director-General), emphasised GTEC’s commitment to upholding academic integrity. It stressed that titles must reflect “formal academic validation” and warned against practices that could deceive the public.

Ayariga, leader of the All People’s Congress (APC) and a perennial presidential candidate, has yet to publicly respond to the directive. The controversy raises questions about the scrutiny of academic claims by public figures in Ghana.