The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has officially discredited claims by Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah that she holds the rank of professor, des
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has officially discredited claims by Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah that she holds the rank of professor, describing her academic credentials as misrepresented and urging her to desist from using the title.
In a letter to the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, GTEC clarified that its investigations revealed inconsistencies in the academic records submitted by Dr. Ayensu-Danquah’s legal representatives.
The development follows weeks of public debate after she allegedly introduced herself as a professor in professional and political circles.
GTEC explained that it had formally written to Dr. Ayensu-Danquah on July 31, requesting documentary proof of her professorial appointment with a deadline of August 11, 2025.
In response, her lawyer, David K. Ametefe, submitted documents from the University of Utah in the United States, arguing that she had been appointed an Assistant Professor of Surgery.
Ametefe further claimed that GTEC lacked the jurisdiction to verify or question an international academic appointment.
However, upon reviewing the documentation, GTEC found discrepancies.
A letter from the University of Utah, signed by Professor W. Bradford Rockwell, Vice Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Surgery, confirmed that Dr. Ayensu-Danquah was appointed as an Adjunct Assistant Professor—a role markedly different from the Assistant Professor position her lawyers cited.
The Commission emphasized that under Ghana’s academic framework, an Adjunct Assistant Professorship is not equivalent to a tenured or full professorial position.
Instead, it is classified as a part-time teaching or research role, comparable to that of a lecturer, and does not carry the prestige or responsibilities of a professor.
“The omission of the term ‘Adjunct’ in her public claims is misleading and potentially deceptive,” the Commission stated. It further concluded: “Based on the evidence available, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah does not hold the title of Professor in any capacity.”
GTEC has since urged her employers and relevant institutions to ensure that she refrains from presenting herself as a professor.
The regulator also warned that if the misrepresentation continues, it may be compelled to pursue legal action for public deception.
This is not the first time questions have been raised in Ghana about academic titles and their misuse.
GTEC, which regulates tertiary institutions and ensures compliance with academic standards, has in recent years intensified scrutiny of individuals and institutions misusing honorary or foreign titles to gain professional or political advantage.
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah, a medical practitioner and politician, has not publicly commented on the matter following GTEC’s latest directive.
The University of Utah in an earlier statement restrained her from calling herself a professor.
Official correspondence from the University debunked the newly appointed Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah claims of being a full professor of surgery — a title she has reportedly used publicly and in official communication.
The clarification, provided by Piikea Godfrey, Director of the Office for Faculty at the University of Utah’s Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, stated unequivocally that Dr. Ayensu-Danquah holds the rank of Adjunct Assistant Professor, not a tenured full professor.
The university has also indicated that it will contact her to correct any misrepresentation of her academic rank.
The University’s response, prompted by inquiries from academic and civic watchdogs, leaves no room for ambiguity.
“She does not hold a Tenure-line appointment at the rank of Professor, as she is an Adjunct Assistant Professor,” Godfrey wrote. “She should not be representing herself as a Full Professor of Surgery.”
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