Ghana’s educational regulator, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), has reinforced its stance on academic title misuse, prompting Dr. Richard Kofi Asiedu, Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to relinquish the use of “Professor” as an honorary title.
The move comes after GTEC issued a formal directive condemning the unauthorised use of academic titles conferred without institutional teaching or research appointments. In a recent statement dubbed a “Notice of Disclaimer,” Dr. Asiedu acknowledged the directive and confirmed he will no longer use the professorial title publicly.
“I did not know that honorary titles could not be used until this prompting by GTEC,” he said, adding that he has since complied as a “law-abiding citizen.”
The honorary title, according to Dr. Asiedu, was awarded by Alfred Nobel University in Ukraine in recognition of his contributions to human development. He insisted it was not a self-appointed label but a distinction he accepted in good faith. However, GTEC, in a letter dated July 28, 2024, maintained that such honorary distinctions do not confer the right to adopt the title “Professor” in any formal capacity.
The Commission had previously cautioned him in June 2025, but raised concern again after materials for the upcoming EELL 2025 Conference still promoted him as “Prof. Richard Kofi Asiedu.”
GTEC described the continued usage as “unethical” and inconsistent with national academic standards. It demanded immediate removal of the title from all official records and has requested documentation verifying Dr. Asiedu’s highest academic qualification.
Dr. Asiedu, who holds a PhD earned through research in 2012, has since reverted to using his academic credentials appropriately and urged the public to respect his corrected designation.
The case has reignited public discourse on the regulation of academic honours in Ghana and the role of institutions in preserving the integrity of academic titles.
