The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has significantly escalated its campaign against the unauthorized use of academic titles, issuing formal directives to prominent individuals demanding verifiable proof of their professorial credentials or the immediate cessation of such titles. These actions stem from a broader warning issued by GTEC on May 30, 2025, where the Commission unequivocally condemned the misuse of honorary doctorates and professorships as "deceitful and unethical," particularly when employed by politicians, business leaders, and public figures. This ongoing initiative underscores GTEC’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity and credibility of Ghana's higher education system.

In letters dated June 17, 2025, and personally signed by Deputy Director-General Professor Augustine Ocloo, GTEC specifically targeted Prof. Williams Abayaawien Atuilik of Heritage Christian University and Prof. Edward Dua Agyeman, the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Audit Service, for their continued public use of the "Professor" title. The Commission expressed grave concern that these titles appeared to lack formal academic validation, posing a significant risk of misleading the general public. The letters explicitly stated, "For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission wishes to formally express its concern regarding the use of academic titles that have not been duly earned or conferred through a recognized academic process," further emphasizing that such practices "undermine the credibility of the higher education system."

Both Professor Atuilik and Edward Dua Agyeman have been strictly instructed to submit comprehensive documentary evidence of their appointments or promotions to the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. This required documentation includes formal letters from recognized institutions that clearly confirm the awarding authority and specify the effective date of their professorial rank. GTEC has made it clear that failure to comply with these directives will result in stringent measures.

Should either individual fail to provide the requisite proof, they are explicitly ordered to "cease the use of the title 'Professor'" and to meticulously remove it from all public platforms. This includes, but is not limited to, official documents, institutional profiles, personal and organizational websites, letterheads, and any other public or professional representations. GTEC has reiterated its firm resolve to uphold the stringent standards of academic integrity, reinforcing its earlier warning that it would not only "name and shame" those who flout its directives but also "take legal action against them." This decisive step by GTEC has been widely welcomed by various stakeholders who advocate for stricter adherence to the established standards of tertiary education in Ghana.