The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has expressed its strong condemnation of the growing trend of individuals acquiring and parading honorary doctorate degrees and fraudulent academic certificates, often from unaccredited and questionable institutions.

The practice, it said, was being done in a manner that undermined the integrity of Ghana’s higher education system.

"We have noted with grave concern the increasing abuse and misrepresentation of such honorary titles, particularly when used for professional advancement, public deception, and influence peddling.

"These actions not only trivialise the rigorous scholarly processes associated with legitimate academic qualifications but also erode public trust in higher education and its regulatory institutions," a statement signed by the President of UTAG, Prof. Mamudu A. Akudugu, and Secretary, Prof. Eliasu Mumuni, said.

Support

UTAG, it said, fully supported the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) in its efforts to regulate, monitor, and, where necessary, sanction individuals and organisations involved in the proliferation and misuse of unearned academic titles.

"We commend your recent public statements and actions taken against such malpractices and urge you to intensify the clampdown, including legal prosecution where applicable.

"In line with our commitment to academic integrity, UTAG calls on all public institutions, civil society organisations, and the media to verify academic claims before offering platforms or recognition," it said.

Encourage

The statement encouraged the general public to treat with skepticism any self-styled “doctorates” or “professorships” not backed by accredited academic processes or awarded purely for ceremonial purposes without a clear distinction.

UTAG further called on the Ministry of Education and GTEC to strengthen public education on the meaning, limits, and appropriate use of honorary degrees.

We also urge all universities to adopt clear internal guidelines on awarding honorary degrees and communicating their non-academic status to recipients and the public."

Academic titles, it said, must be earned, not purchased, and their use must reflect the high standards of scholarship and service that they represent.

We remain available to collaborate with GTEC in preserving the credibility of our academic institutions and safeguarding the integrity of the knowledge society we are all working to build.