Cracking Ghana’s Academic Walls: Do You Really Need A PhD To Lecture?
From personal experience, especially at the University of Ghana (Legon), I’ve seen title obsession outweigh real impact. Professors often demand you call them by the right title—Doctor or Professor—missing the point of education entirely.
Why titles dominate over talent in Ghanaian universities
In Ghana, holding a PhD often earns you more respect than delivering valuable knowledge.
This is a problem.
Most professors seem more invested in prestige than passion. Sadly, many pursue higher degrees for societal status—not for love of the field.
What the West gets right: teach with your passion, not just your degree
Here in the U.S., lecturers often hold only master’s degrees—but they deliver with passion and field expertise.
Commitment, experience, and relevance matter more.
Why PhDs don’t guarantee great lecturers in Ghana
Too many African lecturers earn their PhDs through rote memorization and theory, with zero real-world experience.
That approach limits critical thinking and innovation in classrooms.
You can lecture without a PhD—if impact matters more than applause
So, do you need a PhD to lecture in Ghana? Technically, not always.
But if you’re in it for change—not titles—you’ll face resistance from the old guard.
Call to action: challenge the system, teach with purpose
Aspiring lecturers—don’t chase titles. Build experience. Bring passion. Demand space in academia based on value, not vanity.
Take-home message: Ghana must rethink what makes a good lecturer
- PhD titles don’t always mean quality teaching.
- Experience and passion are undervalued.
- Western institutions focus more on impact than academic rank.
- Ghana must reward real knowledge and reform rigid systems.
- Let’s redefine who deserves the mic in our lecture halls.
Credit: Abass Abdul
