L-R: Philis Naa Koryoo Okunor, Rashid Tanko-Computer and Desmond Degraft Paitoo
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has taken a bold approach to name and shame some prominent individuals in the country over their constant public usage of honorary titles and professorships.
This follows several warnings from the commission to offenders, including threats of legal action against them. However, it appears that the failure of such culprits to adhere to these warnings has resulted in the commission coming out strongly to publicly embarrass and disgrace them.
This GhanaWeb article examines the number of prominent individuals who have suffered this fate as follows:
Rashid Tanko-Computer
GTEC in a letter dated June 3, 2025, has instructed the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC) Sofo Rashid Tanko-Computer, to “cease” using the doctor title.
Tanko-Computer claimed to have acquired a PhD from Kingsnow University in 2016, however, the GTEC letter dated June 3, 2025, stated that the degree was “unearned.”
As a result, GTEC has asked him to stop using the title “Doctor” and take it off of all official records and websites.
Furthermore, Tanko-Computer has been requested by GTEC to provide substantiated proof that the title has been taken down from all pertinent platforms, such as official documents, institutional profiles, websites, letterheads, and any other public or professional representations.
Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor
The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, another individual named by GTEC, has reportedly received an official notice from the commission urging her to stop using the doctorate title ‘Dr.’
The lawmaker, when addressing herself, attaches the title ‘Dr,’ an act GTEC has frowned upon, urging her to desist from using the title in all official and public communications due to the absence of verifiable academic credentials supporting its use.
Desmond De-Graft Paitoo
Also, the lawmaker for Gomoa East has been written to by the commission, urging him to stop using the ‘Dr’ title in all official and public communications due to the absence of verifiable academic credentials supporting its use until he discloses whether the title was earned or honorary, name the awarding institution, and outline the conferment process.
Kwame Adom-Frimpong
The board member of the Internal Audit Agency has been directed to provide a formal appointment or promotion letter from a recognized academic institution confirming his professorial status.
Until then, he has been told to stop referring to himself as “Prof. Kwame Adom-Frimpong” or desist from using the title altogether.
Joseph Obeng
A similar directive from GTEC was issued on May 17, 2025, to Dr Joseph Obeng, President of the Ghana Traders Union Association, instructing him to immediately cease using the “Dr” title in his name.
According to GTEC, there is no record of awarding Obeng the academic title, and he must refrain from using it to avoid possible sanctions. Furthermore, he has been cautioned that continued use of the title will lead to disciplinary measures.
MAG/MA
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