The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has issued a stern warning to Richard Kofi Asiedu, Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Chief Executive Officer of St. Andrews Group of Schools, over his continued use of the title “Dr.”
In a letter dated August 13, 2025, and signed by the Commission’s Deputy Director-General, Prof. Augustine Ocloo, GTEC said Mr. Asiedu’s use of the “Dr” title was inappropriate since it was based on an honorary doctorate and not an earned academic qualification.
“The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) refers to its earlier correspondence with you regarding the submission of copies of your highest academic qualifications, specifically your Doctorate degree certificate, for evaluation,” the letter stated.
It added: “Despite prior communication and your own disclaimer regarding the use of the title ‘Professor’ and the nature of the Doctorate, the Commission has not received the required documentation.
Intelligence available to the Commission indicates that the Doctorate in question is honorary. As such, and in accordance with academic standards and protocols in Ghana, the use of the title ‘Dr’ in public or official capacities is not permissible for honorary degrees.”
The Commission therefore directed Mr. Asiedu to stop presenting himself as “Dr” until he submits verifiable proof of a formally earned doctorate.
“Pending the submission and successful verification of a formally earned Doctorate degree certificate, you are hereby directed to immediately cease the use of the title ‘Doctor’ or the abbreviation ‘Dr’ in all official, professional, and public contexts,” the statement stressed.
GTEC warned that the misuse of academic titles could undermine the integrity of Ghana’s educational system.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission takes a serious view of the use of unearned academic titles, whether conferred locally or internationally, that do not meet the criteria for formal academic validation. The public use of such titles may be misleading and undermine the integrity of the academic system,” the letter emphasized.
The regulator also instructed Mr. Asiedu to erase the title from all platforms linked to his professional and institutional identity.
“You are therefore requested to: cease all use of the title ‘Doctor’ with immediate effect; submit verifiable evidence that the title has been removed from institutional profiles and websites, official documents and letterheads, professional biographies and public platforms, and any other materials where the title has been used,” GTEC directed.
The Commission concluded by expressing its expectation of full cooperation from the NDC regional chairman and urged him to confirm compliance in writing.
