GTEC introduces policy to curb abuse of Honorary Degrees in Ghana
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has launched a thorough national policy designed to eliminate the increasing misuse, commercialisation, and inappropriate awarding of honorary degrees by certain tertiary institutions throughout the nation.
The policy, endorsed by GTEC’s Director-General, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, and released on December 8, 2025, cautions that the unchecked increase of honorary awards, frequently enabled by unaccredited organisations and dubious partnerships, is compromising academic integrity and harming Ghana’s global standing.
GTEC stated that the new framework, supported by the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), sets forth stringent national standards that all public and chartered private universities are required to adhere to.
It also reaffirms the Commission’s complete legal authority to investigate, question, or penalise any institution that violates these regulations.
According to the policy, unaccredited institutions, mentored colleges, and external entities lacking approval are entirely prohibited from granting honorary degrees in Ghana.
Any such awards, GTEC emphasised, will not be acknowledged.
The Commission also highlighted that institutions are prohibited from awarding honorary degrees in return for donations, political motives, or material influence.
GTEC additionally warned that universities that seem to grant honorary degrees excessively or without justification will be questioned and may face suspension of their authority to confer such degrees.
A significant aspect of the directive is a strong position against the misuse of honorary titles.
policy explicitly states that recipients of honorary degrees are not permitted to use the title “Dr.”, and it requires institutions to guide to avoid misrepresentation. Any recipient who misuses this title risks having their award revoked.
To promote transparency, institutions are required to document all nomination and vetting procedures, perform due diligence, including integrity assessments, and keep formal records of all honorary degrees awarded.
GTEC retains the authority to revoke awards that were granted improperly or based on deceptive information.
Characterising the policy as a crucial intervention, GTEC stated that it seeks to “protect the integrity of Ghana’s higher education system”, prevent the commercialisation of honorary awards, and restore public trust in academic honours.