The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has formally ordered Hassan Ayariga, founder and presidential candidate of the All People’s Congress (A
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has formally ordered Hassan Ayariga, founder and presidential candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), to immediately stop using the academic title “Dr.” over concerns that he has failed to verify its legitimacy.
In a stern directive issued on Tuesday, July 15, GTEC accused Ayariga of repeatedly ignoring multiple requests to substantiate his claim to the academic title.
The Commission is demanding clarity on whether the title was earned through a recognised academic process or conferred as an honorary degree, as well as the name of the awarding institution, the date, and procedures followed in the conferment.
“To date, the Commission has not received any response from you. This continued silence is unacceptable,” GTEC stated, expressing deep concern over the absence of cooperation from Ayariga.
Broader Battle Against Academic Misrepresentation
The directive forms part of GTEC’s ongoing efforts to sanitise Ghana’s academic environment and crack down on the growing misuse of academic and honorary titles by public figures.
The Commission has consistently warned that unauthorized use of titles such as “Dr.” undermines academic credibility and misleads the public.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission hereby formally expresses its concern regarding the use of academic titles that have not been duly earned and conferred through a recognised academic process,” the statement emphasized.
GTEC insists that any claim to an academic title must be backed by documentary proof and be consistent with the regulatory and procedural standards established by Ghanaian and internationally recognized academic institutions.
Ayariga’s Deadline: Remove ‘Dr.’ by July 31
As a consequence of Ayariga’s failure to provide verification, GTEC has given him a strict deadline of July 31, 2025, to fully comply with its directive.
He is required to remove the “Dr.” title from all platforms where it currently appears, including:
Official documents
Institutional and party profiles
Websites and digital communications
Letterheads
Public signage and campaign materials
GTEC expects Ayariga to submit evidence of compliance in verifiable form.
History of Controversy
This is not the first time Hassan Ayariga’s use of the “Dr.” title has come under public scrutiny.
Over the years, questions have circulated about the authenticity of his academic credentials, particularly among political opponents and civil society actors.
However, until now, no regulatory body had taken formal steps to investigate or issue a public directive on the matter.
The APC leader, who has been active in Ghana’s political landscape since 2012—first under the People’s National Convention (PNC) before founding the APC—has frequently presented himself as “Dr. Hassan Ayariga” in political campaigns, interviews, and party documentation.
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