GUTA condemns GTEC over targeting of Joseph Obeng for honorary doctorate title

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has condemned the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). They claim GTEC is trying to discredit Dr. Joseph Obeng, their President. This is due to his use of an honorary doctorate title.

In a statement on Monday, GUTA and its allied trade organizations criticized GTEC. They accused GTEC of overstepping its authority by warning Dr. Obeng about his honorary title.

GUTA called this action an "unwarranted and calculated attempt" to damage Dr. Obeng's reputation. They highlighted his significant contributions to Ghana’s informal sector and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The statement said, “We find this action to be an overreach of authority.” It emphasized that Dr. Obeng's honorary title recognizes decades of service in national development and economic empowerment.

GUTA mentioned two notable honors awarded to Dr. Obeng in 2016:
1. An Honorary Doctorate of Humanity from Alpha International Theological Seminary for his contributions.
2. A Platinum Award for Excellence in Leadership from the Centre for Transformational Leadership.

These awards are not vanity accolades; they recognize proven leadership and impact, according to GUTA.

They called for a public apology and retraction from GTEC. The Association urged GTEC to show "discretion and professionalism" when addressing prominent figures.

GUTA stated that Dr. Obeng’s leadership goes beyond academic credentials. His influence is felt in markets, boardrooms, and national policy discussions.

In conclusion, GUTA reaffirmed its support for Dr. Obeng. They described him as a “symbol of resilience, service, and visionary leadership” who has uplifted many traders and entrepreneurs across Ghana.