Titles of ‘borrowed-robes-dressing?’
If I could appropriate to myself an unearned doctoral or professorial title I have not worked for, as has become fashionable these days, perhaps the most appetising to me would have been “Professor Emerita!” I know “emerita” is for retired lady professors, but “emerita” sounds nicer in my ears than the male professor “emeritus!”
However, with GTEC cracking the whip in recent times, the titles “Prof.” and “Dr” in front of some prominent names have quietly disappeared without any fuss.
True to human nature, though, others have tried bold-facedly, though unconvincingly, putting up a fight, which in their hearts they know would end nowhere.
This took me to my August 2024 article titled: “Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?” (Shakespeare) quoted below.
“ Maclean Kwofi’s July 15, 2024 article in Graphic Online titled: “3 Million condoms missing — Auditor-General after delivery man,” threw me into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.
When I recovered, I continued with the article, which read as follows:
“The Auditor-General is pursuing a driver who failed to deliver about three million pieces of male condoms and other contraceptives valued at GH¢1.34 million to the Regional Medical Stores (RMS) in the Eastern Region.”
“The driver, Joe Gyaten, was tasked to deliver the contraceptives, including 120,000 vials of Depo-Provera (birth control shot), to the Regional Medical Stores on August 22, 2022, but the entire consignment was never received at the stipulated destination”
Serious as the story was, the title, supported by a contingent of bright multi-coloured condoms, added a humorous dimension, which had me in stitches.
On the contrary, another story three days later did not amuse me one bit. In an article on Graphic Online on July 18, 2024, titled: “Regulate use of honorary doctorate titles – Deputy Education Minister tells GTEC,” Graphic Online reported that the Deputy Minister of Education, Professor Kingsley Nyarko, had called on the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to enhance efforts in regulating the use of doctoral titles in Ghana.
Prof. Nyarku expressed concern that the unregulated conferment and use of honorary doctoral degrees could undermine the true sense of academic achievement. He stated as follows:
“While the attainment of an honorary doctorate degree is an honour and an achievement, it should not be prefixed to one’s name.
If the practice is unchecked, it could diminish the pursuit of formal graduate studies.
If obtaining a doctorate title is as easy as buying one, there will be little incentive to pursue rigorous academic study.”
Pro.f Nyarku’s submission took me down memory lane.
Borrowed Robes?
On a visit to a friend many years ago, I saw a beautifully framed citation on his table.
With curiosity taking the better part of me, I went to the table.
A foreign university had awarded him a doctorate degree.
To my exclamation as to why he had not made this news public, he smiled wryly at me and asked in the words of Shakespeare’s Macbeth,
“Why do you want to dress me in borrowed robes? Everybody knows I have not been to the university! Why do I ridicule myself by suddenly writing “Dr” in front of my name?”
I found my friend’s humble answer rather interesting, considering the number of Ghanaians who flaunt doctoral titles they have not earned through study and examination. Interestingly, some get offended when the “Dr” is left out when they are introduced!
In the field of religion, especially with those described as “one-man-churches,” it appears the title Rev. now has an automatic accompaniment of Dr, hence “Rev. Dr” irrespective of the level of education.
Indeed, some confer on themselves revered titles such as “Bishop” and “Archbishop!”
Doctorate (PhD) degree vrs Honorary doctorate
Doctorate degrees (PhD) and Honorary doctorates have distinct purposes and different meanings. Doctorate degrees are academic and embody scholarly achievements, specialisation and advancement of knowledge in a particular field.
Honorary doctorate degrees, which are referred to as “Honoris Causa,” celebrate exceptional accomplishments and contributions to society.
Honoris Causa in Latin which translates in English as “for the sake of honour” is a degree awarded without examination, but as a mark of esteem/honour.
Honorary degrees are not PhDs, nor do they entitle the recipient to the same professional privileges as individuals who have earned PhDs after a course of study and examination.
Discussion
The conferment of “Honoris Causa” doctorate on individuals is a recognition of their contributions to society, and is “for the sake of honour.” It is not a PhD.
Recipients of honorary doctorates must therefore desist from insisting on being addressed as “Dr” or using it as a prefix in front of their names.
The number of prefixes in front of one’s name, or suffixes behind the name, may not be the most important determinants of one’s worth or contribution to society.
Sadly, recent reports have it that unaccredited universities are awarding honorary doctorate degrees!
Dr Samuel Johnson, who is credited with publishing the first English Dictionary in 1755, stated that, “The supreme end of education is expert discernment in all things; the power to tell the good from the bad, and the genuine from the counterfeit, but above all, to prefer the good and the genuine, to the bad and the counterfeit.”
This is recommended to all who have studied to earn PhDs.
In Bob Marley’s words, “the greatness of a man is not how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity, and his ability to affect those around him positively!”
As my friend asked me quoting from Shakespeare, “Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?” Why do people want to dress themselves in borrowed robes? Is it pure dishonesty, deep-seated inferiority complex, or simply a craving/adoration of titles by society?
During the week, GTEC identified/arrested a number of Ghanaians practising medicine without having qualified as medical professionals.
This took me to my oft-quoted statement by a colleague Ugandan General. He said;
“When people know that they can get away with murder because the Law does not work, they will kill with impunity.
But when they know that they will also be killed for murder because the Law works, they will not kill.”
WAEC announced massive cheating on an industrial scale by pupils at the recent August 2025 BECE examinations, aided by organised collusion of GES officials, invigilators, teachers and the active support of parents.
A headmistress who prevented students from cheating was attacked.
Simply, the result of not applying the Law for political reasons amounts to supervising lawlessness, such as “galamsey,” building in Ramsar sites and watercourses, industrial-scale cheating in examinations, beating of head teachers who prevent cheating, disrespect for authority and general indiscipline.
Where is all the discipline/love-of-country Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah taught us as Young Pioneers before his overthrow in 1966?
Martin-Luther King said, “The arc of the moral universe might be long, but it bends towards justice!”
One hopes that, sooner than later, this will apply to all those who fraudulently call themselves “Dr”/“Professor” when they know they have not earned it!
Leadership, lead by Example/Integrity! Fellow Ghanaians, WAKE UP!
The writer is a Former CEO, African Peace Support Trainers Association
Nairobi, Kenya.
Council Chairman
Family Health University, Accra
dkfrimpong@yahoo.com
