The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has called on the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to take strong legal measures against those involved in the distribution and misuse of fake academic degrees and titles.
In a statement released on Thursday, June 26, 2025, UTAG expressed serious concern over the rising instances of misuse and misrepresentation of honorary doctorates and fraudulent academic certificates.
The Association condemned this trend, cautioning that it jeopardises the credibility of Ghana’s higher education system and undermines the scholarly efforts of legitimate academics.
“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,” UTAG stated.
UTAG specifically urged GTEC to enhance its monitoring and regulatory responsibilities, emphasising the need for legal action where appropriate.
The Association highlighted that mere sanctions are insufficient; rather, robust legal measures are essential to curb the escalating issue of academic fraud.
“We urge you to intensify the clampdown, including legal prosecution where applicable,” the statement urged GTEC.
This plea comes as an increasing number of individuals flaunt fake academic titles to gain influence in various public, media, and professional spheres, often without proper scrutiny. UTAG is concerned that this trend distorts the standards of academic achievement and facilitates public deceit.
The Association affirmed its full support for GTEC’s initiatives to cleanse the sector and encouraged all relevant entities—from public agencies to universities—to take active steps to uphold academic integrity.
In addition to advocating for prosecutions, UTAG called for clearer internal guidelines within universities regarding the awarding of honorary degrees, urging that these be publicly communicated as non-academic recognitions.
“Academic titles must be earned, not purchased,” UTAG cautioned, warning that the unregulated use of such titles for social or political advantage could undermine the credibility of academic recognition.
Find the full statement below.
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