GTEC warns Deputy Health Minister over professor title

GTEC warns Deputy Health Minister over professor title. On August 12, 2025, the Commission wrote to the Chief of Staff. The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission says Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah does not hold the rank of professor. Therefore, it directs her to stop using the title. Otherwise, it may file a case for public deception.

Earlier, GTEC asked her to submit proof of a professorial appointment by August 11, 2025. The request followed a discussion between the GTEC Board Chair and the Deputy Minister. Subsequently, her lawyers replied on August 8, 2025. They said the University of Utah appointed her as an Assistant Professor of Surgery. However, they also challenged GTEC’s authority to demand evidence from a foreign appointment.

GTEC reviewed the documents and reached a different conclusion. According to a letter from Professor W. Bradford Rockwell, the university appointed her as an Adjunct Assistant Professor. Moreover, the letter explains that the adjunct track is not tenure track. It also notes that U.S. titles do not map neatly to Ghana’s system. Therefore, GTEC equates the adjunct rank to a part-time lecturer within Ghana’s context.

As a result, the Commission states that Dr Ayensu-Danquah does not hold any professor rank. Consequently, it asked her employer to ensure compliance. It also warned that continued use of the title could trigger legal steps. Furthermore, the Commission copied the Health Minister, the Clerk of Parliament, and GTEC’s Board Chair. GTEC warns Deputy Health Minister again that public offices must model academic integrity.

Meanwhile, her solicitors defended her record and questioned GTEC’s motive. They argued that foreign titles follow the law of the place of conferment. They also insisted that the Commission overstepped its mandate. However, they acknowledged the Utah appointment and attached a supporting letter. Finally, they urged restraint and asked recipients to note her service to Ghana.

The dispute now turns on documentation and jurisdiction, not politics. Therefore, the outcome will depend on evidence and statutory limits. Please don’t forget to leave a review or a comment. Explore more by reading updates on https://theghanadiscourse.com/