The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has escalated its directive for Samuel Ato Duncan, the newly appointed Board Chairman of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC), to immediately stop referring to himself as a “Professor,” citing his failure to comply with earlier warnings.
In a firm statement, GTEC reminded Mr. Duncan of its initial directive issued on June 3, 2025, which demanded the removal of the academic title “Professor” from all public and professional platforms due to a lack of verifiable academic qualifications.
Despite the clear warning, GTEC noted that Mr. Duncan has not responded or provided any evidence to justify his claim to the title, prompting the regulatory body to reiterate its position that the use of such titles without the necessary credentials is unauthorized.
The Commission underscored that legitimate use of the titles “Professor” or “Dr” requires verifiable proof of having earned a PhD or equivalent terminal degree, as well as formal promotion to associate professor or full professor by an accredited tertiary institution.
“Without such documentation, Mr. Duncan is not authorized to present himself with these academic titles in any official capacity,” GTEC stated.
This latest move highlights ongoing concerns over academic title misuse in Ghana’s professional and public sectors and GTEC’s commitment to enforcing standards of academic integrity. The Commission continues to await Mr. Duncan’s compliance and verifiable documentation to validate his academic standing.
