A former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, has called on the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to shift its attention from Deputy Health Minister Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah and instead investigate religious bodies and individuals using unaccredited titles.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Tuesday, August 19, Dr. Boakye-Danquah argued that the Commission’s focus on Dr. Ayensu-Danquah’s academic credentials was misplaced, given the widespread use of honorary and unaccredited titles across other sectors.
“GTEC should leave the Deputy Minister alone. I think that there are people who are using titles that they must pursue. From a religious background, I know that some people hold themselves with certain titles. GTEC is supposed to look at all institutions as they are,” he said.
He further cited theological institutions in Ghana without mentioning specific names, which he claimed lack proper accreditation, yet continue to issue certificates and confer titles on individuals.
“We know that in this country, we have theological institutions that are accredited, and people go through to acquire studies and certification. I would want to entreat GTEC to turn their attention to the religious bodies those that are using Reverend, Rev. Dr., etc., that are also not accredited. I think GTEC should turn their attention there, and that will be able to sanitise the system,” he added.
His comments come amid an ongoing dispute between GTEC and Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, a Deputy Minister for Health and Member of Parliament for Essikadu-Ketan. GTEC has refuted her claim to the academic rank of professor, cautioning her against presenting herself with the title.
In a letter to the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, GTEC explained that it had earlier asked Dr. Ayensu-Danquah to provide proof of her professorial appointment by August 11, 2025.
Her legal team, led by David K. Ametefe, responded on August 8, insisting that she was appointed an Assistant Professor of Surgery by the University of Utah in the United States. They argued that GTEC had no authority to demand evidence of such an appointment since it was made outside Ghana.
The lawyers have since criticised GTEC’s actions, warning that if the Commission fails to withdraw its correspondence within 14 days, they will seek legal remedies to protect their client’s reputation.
