The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has released a comprehensive national policy governing how tertiary institutions should confer honorary degrees, following growing concerns about the misuse, commercialisation, and proliferation of unregulated awards.
In a letter dated December 8, 2025, signed by the Director-General of GTEC, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, and distributed to various tertiary institutions, GTEC notified the various heads about the policy on the conferment of honorary degrees.
It explained that under the new rules, only chartered or legally mandated public universities with at least five accredited terminal programmes may award honorary degrees.
It said unaccredited institutions and those under mentorship are barred from doing so, and any honorary degrees issued by such entities will not be recognised.
"The conferment of honorary degrees is an important academic and national recognition. However, in recent years, the proliferation of unregulated awards, misuse of honorary titles, and collaboration between accredited institutions and unaccredited bodies have raised concerns about academic integrity, public trust, and Ghana's international reputation."
The policy outlines clear eligibility criteria, prohibits awards based on donations or political influence, and bans conferrals on individuals with reputational or ethical concerns.
It said institutions must establish an Honorary Degrees Committee, conduct rigorous vetting, publish nominations for public input, and obtain approvals from both the Academic Board and University Council.
It also mentioned that honorary recipients are explicitly prohibited from using the title “Dr.” and misuse of honorary titles may lead to revocation.
"Tertiary institutions under mentorship, unaccredited institutions, or bodies shall not confer honorary degrees in Ghana. Awards from these categories of institutions or bodies shall not be recognised."
"To qualify to award honorary degrees, Chartered institutions must have at least five (5) accredited terminal academic programmes running for at least three (3) years. Professional doctorates do not count as terminal degree."
GTEC also bans collaboration with unaccredited foreign or local bodies on honorary awards.
On eligibility, it stated that nominees for honorary degrees must have a proven record of exceptional achievement, demonstrated through national or international service, leadership, academic or scientific innovation, humanitarian or cultural contributions, or outstanding service to their institution or Ghana.
Meanwhile, sanctions for non-compliance include withdrawal of degrees, suspension of an institution’s right to award honorary degrees, administrative penalties under Act 1023, and possible referral to law enforcement.
GTEC may impose any of the following sanctions on institutions or individuals that violate this Policy:
a) Written warning or directive to reverse the action;
b) Suspension of the institution's right to confer honorary degrees for a specified period;
c) Withdrawal or nullification of improperly awarded honorary degrees;
d) Administrative penalties as provided under Act 1023;
e) Publication of the violation for public notice,
f) Referral to law enforcement agencies where criminality is involved.
The policy will be reviewed every five years.
