The Vice Chancellors of Technical Universities of Ghana (VCTU-G) have expressed deep concern over the growing trend of academic title fraud in the country, describing it as a serious threat to the integrity of Ghana’s tertiary education system.

In a statement issued in response to a recent caution from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), the VCTU-G condemned the widespread use of unearned academic titles, which they said undermine the credibility of the nation’s educational institutions and risk devaluing Ghanaian academic qualifications on the global stage.

According to the VCTU-G, the increasing tendency of individuals to self-ascribe doctoral and professorial titles without undergoing the rigorous academic processes required for such honours is eroding institutional integrity. The Technical Universities Act, 2016 (Act 922), like other relevant statutes, empowers technical universities to confer degrees and qualifications based on competence and applied research, they noted.

“Yet, in recent years, we have witnessed an erosion of these safeguards through the self-ascription of academic titles by individuals who have neither undergone doctoral training nor satisfied the requisite academic protocols,” the Vice Chancellors said.

They also warned of the international reputational damage this trend could cause, noting that Ghana’s longstanding reputation as a regional leader in tertiary education is at stake.

They stressed that the abuse of academic titles could cast doubt on the authenticity of credentials held by Ghanaian graduates, negatively affecting their global employability and academic mobility.

The VCTU-G called for a coordinated national response to the issue. They urged institutions to thoroughly verify academic qualifications presented for employment or promotions, and for governing councils to recommit to preserving the integrity of academic honours.

They advised the media to avoid platforming individuals whose academic claims cannot be independently verified.

While commending GTEC for its recent actions to address the issue, the Vice Chancellors also called on law enforcement to assist in investigating and prosecuting fraudulent claims.

Beyond institutional measures, the VCTU-G emphasized the need for a moral and cultural shift that reaffirms merit, evidence-based achievement, and intellectual honesty as core societal values.

“We must restore the primacy of merit, evidence-based achievement, and intellectual integrity in both academic and public life,” the statement read. “The values that underpin our universities are truth, rigour, and accountability; and these must not be sacrificed at the altar of status, visibility, or opportunism.”

The Vice Chancellors reaffirmed their commitment to defending the credibility of Ghana’s tertiary education system and called on all stakeholders—including policymakers, educators, the private sector, and the public—to support efforts to protect and uphold academic standards.