The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed Samuel Ato Duncan, the newly appointed Board Chairman of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC), to immediately cease holding himself out as a professor.
In an official notice, GTEC reminded Mr. Duncan that it had earlier issued a directive—dated June 3, 2025—ordering him to stop using the academic title “Professor” due to a lack of verifiable qualifications supporting the claim.
“You were required to provide verifiable evidence confirming the removal of this title from all relevant platforms, including but not limited to official documents, institutional profiles, letterheads, websites, and other public professional representations,” the Commission stated.
GTEC noted that Mr. Duncan has yet to respond to the initial directive or submit any documentation to justify the use of the academic title. As a result, the Commission has reiterated its stance, stressing that without the appropriate academic credentials, the use of the title is unauthorised.
“To date, the Commission has not received a response from you, nor have you submitted any documentation justifying your entitlement to the academic title ‘Professor’,” GTEC wrote.
The Commission made it clear that Mr. Duncan must present verifiable evidence of having been awarded a PhD or an equivalent terminal degree and of having been formally promoted to the academic rank of Associate Professor or Professor by a recognised tertiary institution.
“Until and unless you provide verifiable evidence… You are not authorised to use the title ‘Dr’ or ‘Professor’ in any official capacity,” the statement emphasised.
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