The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has issued a formal warning to Richard Kofi Asiedu, the Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), regarding his ongoing use of the academic title “Professor” without the necessary academic validation.
In a letter dated July 28, 2024, and addressed to the National Chairman of the NDC, GTEC expressed concerns over Mr. Asiedu’s persistent use of the honorary title, especially after previous directives to stop.
The Commission referred to Section 8(4)(d) of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), which prohibits using academic titles without proper qualifications.
GTEC pointed out that Mr. Asiedu was previously instructed on June 2, 2025, to refrain from using the title and provide evidence of its removal from all public platforms, along with documentation of his highest academic accomplishments.
Despite these instructions, GTEC noted that Mr. Asiedu has continued to misuse the title, including in promotional materials like a poster for the 2025 EELL Conference, where he was referred to as “Prof. Richard Kofi Asiedu” and a holder of “earned doctorates”.
In a separate message to the St. Andrews Group, dated June 19, 2025, GTEC acknowledged that Mr. Asiedu has received honorary titles from accredited institutions. However, the Commission emphasised that such titles cannot replace formally earned academic ranks, particularly without proper verification or recognition of equivalence.
GTEC cited Sections 7(i) and 8(4e) of Act 1023, which grant the Commission the authority to validate academic credentials and assess foreign degrees, such as those reportedly awarded by Alfred Nobel University in Ukraine.
The Commission has set a final deadline of July 31, 2025, for Mr. Asiedu to comply by discontinuing the use of the title, or he will face legal repercussions. GTEC also urged the NDC leadership to intervene in this matter to achieve an amicable resolution.
“GTEC has the statutory authority to regulate the use of academic titles in Ghana, and any individual who fails to comply risks legal sanctions,” the statement said.
In recent months, GTEC has communicated with several government officials and public figures, directing them to stop using the titles “Dr.” or “Prof.” in the absence of verified academic credentials.
Those impacted include Rashid Tanko-Computer, CEO of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC); Dr. Joseph Obeng, President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA); and Desmond De-Graft Paitoo, Member of Parliament for Gomoa East.
