GTEC introduces national policy to regulate honorary degrees
9th December 2025
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has unveiled a new national policy to curb the abuse, commercialisation, and improper conferment of honorary degrees by tertiary institutions in Ghana.
Signed by GTEC Director-General Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai on December 8, 2025, the policy warns that the unchecked proliferation of honorary awards—often facilitated through unaccredited bodies or questionable collaborations—is undermining academic integrity and tarnishing Ghana’s global reputation.
The framework, anchored in the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), sets strict national standards for all public and chartered private universities and gives GTEC full authority to investigate, question, or sanction institutions that violate the rules.
Under the policy, unaccredited institutions, mentored colleges, and external bodies without approval are prohibited from conferring honorary degrees. Any such awards will not be recognised.
The Commission also forbids the granting of honorary degrees in exchange for donations, political influence, or other material considerations. Universities that confer honorary awards excessively or without merit will be queried and may have their right to award such degrees suspended.
A key provision addresses the misuse of honorary titles. Recipients of honorary degrees are explicitly prohibited from using the title “Dr.” Institutions are required to issue guidance to prevent misrepresentation, and any recipient who violates this rule risks having the award revoked.
The policy also mandates transparency in the nomination and vetting process. Universities must conduct due diligence, including integrity checks, maintain formal registers of all honorary degrees, and document all processes. GTEC reserves the right to withdraw awards that were improperly granted or based on fraudulent information.
GTEC described the policy as a critical step to safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s higher education system, prevent the commercialisation of honorary awards, and restore public trust in academic honours. The new rules take effect immediately.