Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a former Government Spokesperson, has urged the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to shift its focus away from Deputy Health Minister Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah and focus on religious organisations and individuals who use unaccredited titles.
In an interview, Dr. Boakye-Danquah indicated that the Commission’s scrutiny of Dr. Ayensu-Danquah’s academic qualifications is misdirected, particularly given the prevalence of honorary and unaccredited titles in various sectors.
“GTEC should leave the Deputy Minister alone. I think that there are people who are using titles that they must pursue. From a religious background, I know that some people hold themselves with certain titles. GTEC is supposed to look at all institutions as they are,” he said
He also referenced unnamed theological institutions in Ghana that, according to him, lack proper accreditation yet continue to award certificates and confer titles.
“We know that in this country, we have theological institutions that are accredited, and people go through to acquire studies and certification. I would want to entreat GTEC to turn their attention to the religious bodies those that are using Reverend, Rev. Dr., etc., that are also not accredited. I think GTEC should turn their attention there, and that will be able to sanitise the system,” he added in an interview monitored by The Ghana Report on Channel One TV.
His remarks come as GTEC and Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah are engaged in an ongoing dispute. GTEC has challenged her claim to the title of professor, urging her not to present herself as such.
In a letter to the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, GTEC informed Dr. Ayensu-Danquah that she needed to provide validation of her professorial appointment by August 11, 2025.
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah’s legal team, led by David K. Ametefe, responded on August 8, asserting that she had been appointed Assistant Professor of Surgery by the University of Utah in the United States.
They contended that GTEC does not have the authority to request proof of her appointment since it was conferred outside of Ghana.
The legal team has since criticised GTEC, stating that if the Commission does not retract its correspondence within 14 days, they will pursue legal action to safeguard their client’s reputation.
