Crackdown And Prosecute Fake Degree Holders – UTAG Charges GTEC

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has urged the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to take decisive legal action against individuals and institutions involved in the spread and misuse of fake academic degrees and titles.

In a statement issued on Thursday, June 26, UTAG expressed deep concern over what it termed as the increasing abuse and misrepresentation of honorary doctorates and fraudulent academic certificates.

The Association condemned the trend, warning that it threatens the credibility of Ghana’s higher education system and disrespects the scholarly efforts of legitimate academics.

“These actions not only trivialise the rigorous scholarly processes associated with legitimate academic qualifications but also erode public trust in higher education and its regulatory institutions,” UTAG stated.

UTAG specifically called on GTEC to intensify its monitoring and regulatory role and not hesitate to initiate legal prosecution where applicable. The Association emphasised that sanctions alone are not enough and that deterrent legal measures must be taken to halt the growing illegality surrounding academic fraud.

“We urge you to intensify the clampdown, including legal prosecution where applicable,” the statement urged GTEC.

This call comes amid a rise in individuals brandishing fake academic titles to gain influence in public life, media, and professional settings, often without scrutiny. UTAG fears the trend is creating a distorted standard for academic achievement and enabling public deception.

The Association pledged full support to GTEC in efforts to clean up the sector, and encouraged all relevant stakeholders from public agencies to universities to play an active role in defending academic integrity.

In addition to prosecutions, UTAG called for clearer internal guidelines within universities on the awarding of honorary degrees, and for these to be publicly communicated as non-academic recognitions.

“Academic titles must be earned, not purchased,” UTAG warned, adding that the unregulated use of such titles for social or political gain risks turning academic recognition into a farce.

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