GTEC to GUTA President: We don’t need clarification, just stop using ‘Dr’ title

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has made a clear statement. Joseph Obeng, President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), must stop using the title "Dr." He holds an honorary doctorate but GTEC does not recognize it for this purpose.

On May 22, Deputy Director General Prof. Augustine Ocloo spoke on Channel One Newsroom. He noted that GTEC has not received any formal clarification from Obeng about his academic credentials. GTEC believes honorary degrees do not allow recipients to use the "Dr." title in professional settings.

Prof. Ocloo explained that honorary degrees are a form of recognition. However, they do not equal earned academic qualifications. He stated, “If you’ve earned it, then use it. If not, don’t.”

GTEC had previously sent a cautionary letter to Obeng on May 14, 2025. They requested details about the awarding institution and the conferral process of his honorary degree. The Commission argues that using honorary doctorates as formal titles is unethical and violates the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023).

Despite criticism from GUTA, which called GTEC’s action "malicious," Prof. Ocloo stood firm. He said the directive applies to all individuals using unearned titles, not just Obeng. “We expect him to stop using the title,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, GUTA defended Obeng’s honorary doctorate from Alpha International Theological Seminary in 2016. They claim it recognizes his contributions to Ghana’s economic development and private sector advocacy. The association has urged GTEC to withdraw its cautionary letter and issue a public apology.