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Black Thursday

Rostrum The ancient narrow pathway had become so bad that they could not find their way to their destination as the three moved in a grey Honda Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) being piloted by Dayo who was very mindful of the steering. It was on a Thursday. The 35-year-old Misters Dayo, Emeka and Okon were old time friends who reunited just a few days ago at Nsukka in Enugu State having lost contacts about eight years back, or thereabouts, after their graduation from one of the reputable higher citadels of learning in Nigeria situated in the Eastern part of the country, precisely University of Nigeria Nsukka popularly known by its acronym ‘U.N.N’. What occasioned the long-awaited reunion was the convention of their alma-mater’s alumni body themed ‘The homecoming of UNN Alumni’, which usually held once in a blue moon. Though they never studied in the same department, they were conspicuously best of friends during their school days that people within bega...

Ghana Warns Use of Honorary Doctoral, Professorial Titles

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has raised concerns over the increasing misuse of honorary titles such as “Doctor” and “Professor,” cautioning individuals and institutions to desist from appending these honours to their names and credentials.

This is coming barely a few weeks after the Malawian authority dropped a press release, warning its educational institutions and individuals to desist from misusing honorary doctoral and professorial titles in the country.

In a press statement signed by the Director General of the GETC, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, the Commission expressed concern about the growing trend of individuals using honorary doctoral and professorial titles as if they were earned academic qualifications.

The body described the practice as misleading and unethical, warning it contravenes provisions of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023).

“While the Commission acknowledges and encourages the responsible recognition of distinguished individuals… it asserts that such honours should only be conferred by accredited and duly recognised institutions within the realm of Ghanaian higher education,” the statement read.Ghanaian fashion

GTEC clarified that although honorary degrees serve to recognize exceptional achievement and service, recipients are not to incorporate these titles into their formal credentials or identities.

The Commission further emphasized that it is illegal to do so, noting it undermines the integrity of the country’s academic system.

The Commission’s mandate, under Section 8 (3)(d) of Act 1023, includes regulating the use of academic titles and nomenclature. This includes terms such as “university,” “college,” “Emeritus,” “Professor,” “Doctor,” and “Chartered.”

GTEC appealed to the public, as well as institutions within Ghana’s higher education space, to uphold ethical standards in the conferral and usage of such honors. It also urged individuals to take personal responsibility and exercise restraint.

“To safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s higher education system and to uphold its deserved credibility and respect, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission demands that all stakeholders refrain from the misuse of honorary academic titles,” said Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of GTEC.

The Commission concluded with a stern warning, "institutions and individuals who persist in violating these guidelines risk facing regulatory sanctions."

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