#Honorarydegrees

Ghana’s higher education watchdog has taken decisive action against the popular yet controversial practice of using honorary doctorates and professorship titles in public—a move that has drawn attention beyond its borders, including Thailand, where academic integrity is a valued aspect of education and social status. The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) recently issued a directive restricting the public use of these titles, underpinning concerns about rising academic title abuse that threatens the credibility of the country’s education system. As Thailand grapples with its own educational reforms and the social importance attached to academic qualifications, this development offers fresh vantage points for local readers keen on honest academic recognition.

A top Ghanaian education watchdog has tightened rules on the public use of honorary doctorates and professorships. The move aims to protect the credibility of Ghana’s higher education system and curb the growing practice of presenting honorary titles as earned qualifications. For Thai readers, the development offers a timely lens on how to preserve trust in academic credentials amid ongoing education reforms.

Data from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission shows rising concerns that public figures—politicians, religious leaders, and business executives—are presenting honorary titles as if they were earned degrees. A formal statement from the commission deems the practice deceitful and unethical, warning that continued misuse undermines genuine scholarship. This stance places a renewed emphasis on differentiating symbolic honors from earned academic credentials.