GTEC Demands Proof of Spio-Garbrah’s ‘Dr.’ Title or Orders Its Removal

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed Presidential Envoy for Reparations, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, to provide documentary evidence supporting his use of the academic title “Dr.”, signalling a tougher regulatory stance on the public use of unverified academic credentials.

The Commission has requested details of the institution that awarded the doctorate, confirmation of whether the qualification is an earned doctoral degree or an honorary award, the date of conferment, and the process through which it was obtained. GTEC said the information is necessary to determine whether the title complies with Ghana’s academic standards and regulatory framework.

Should Spio-Garbrah fail to provide satisfactory evidence, the Commission has instructed him to immediately discontinue the use of the title “Dr.” and remove it from all official documents, institutional profiles, websites, letterheads, biographies and other public representations.

The directive forms part of GTEC’s broader effort to preserve the credibility of Ghana’s higher education system by ensuring that academic titles accurately reflect qualifications earned through recognised academic processes. The Commission has intensified similar enforcement actions in recent months as it seeks to strengthen public confidence in the integrity of academic and professional credentials.