Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has highlighted her academic and professional achievements in the face of an ongoing debate over her use of the title Professor.
Speaking in an interview on CTV on Monday, August 18, 2025, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah reiterated that she legitimately earned her professorial title through her work in global surgery and continues to play a key role in medical education both abroad and in Ghana.
“I earned my professor of surgery title long ago. I head the Department of Global Surgery at a campus in Utah, but I chose to stay in Ghana to serve my people,” she said, stressing that her career choices were rooted in service rather than personal gain.
Beyond her international role, she pointed to her contributions at home, including managing a medical residency programme and leading public health research in areas such as breast cancer, surgical care improvement, and quality assurance.
While acknowledging the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) Director-General, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor’s concerns, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah questioned why the debate was being carried out on social media instead of through established regulatory procedures.
“My question is, as a state regulator, are we going to settle the matter on social media? Shouldn’t we be going through due process instead of debating it online?” she asked.
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah further challenged critics to measure her credentials against theirs. “Let him bring his CV, and let’s compare,” she added.
The controversy over her title continues to spark conversation, but the Deputy Minister insists her focus remains on advancing healthcare delivery and strengthening medical training in Ghana.
