Heritage Christian University "Professor" publicly defies GTEC over title directive
Williams Abayaawien Atuilik has publicly accused the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) of acting contrary to the constitution and abusing its authority by directing him to stop using the title "Professor".
The allegation follows a formal challenge from GTEC in a letter dated June 19, 2025, which demanded that he provide evidence of his professorial appointment or cease using the designation.
In a detailed circular, Atuilik stated he first learned of the commission's concern through a social media publication on June 19, 2025, before receiving an official letter.
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"I saw this publication before I received a letter from GTEC to that effect," he wrote. "Prior to the circulated publication and the subsequent receipt of the letter from GTEC, I had previously NOT received any letter, phone call or any form of communication from the GTEC on the subject matter."
In his response to GTEC, Atuilik says he provided documents confirming his previous appointments as a Visiting Associate Professor at two American universities, the Abilene Christian University and the Lubbock Christian University. He emphasised that these "were not honorary" and were based on assessments of his publications, teaching experience, and community service.
However, GTEC maintained that a visiting associate professor may not use the title "Professor". The commission cited its broad authority under the Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020, to regulate academic titles, but according to Atuilik, it failed to provide specific supporting regulations.
"No reference has been made to regulations, notices, circulars or guidelines passed by Parliament or issued by GTEC that guide the implementation of the above-stated regulatory authority," his circular read.
Atuilik argues the directive is an "abuse of regulatory and administrative authority" that violates Article 296 of the 1992 Constitution, which requires discretionary power to be exercised fairly and governed by published regulations.
He also contends it contravenes Article 19(11), which states, "No person shall be convicted of a criminal offence unless the offence is defined and the penalty for it is prescribed in a written law".
Despite the dispute, Atuilik confirmed he has since received a new appointment. "I am happy, however, to indicate that I have since received an appointment as Associate Professor of Accounting and Finance from the Heritage Christian University."
He concluded his circular by thanking well-wishers for their support and requesting prayers, signing off as "Prof. Williams Abayaawien Atuilik".
