NDC bigwig Richard Kofi Asiedu in another trouble with GTEC over unearned ‘Dr’ title apart from earlier 'Prof' issue
Apart from an earlier use of an unearned Prof title, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) raised with Richard Kofi Asiedu, the Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Chief Executive Officer of St. Andrews Group of Schools, it has emerged that his use of a "Dr" title is also inappropriate, as it was only honorary.
In July 2025, GTEC warned Richard Kofi Asiedu over his continued unauthorised use of the honorary title “Professor.”
This was after Mr. Asiedu had defied earlier directives to cease the practice.
He later complied after GTEC threatened to sue him and described it as “unethical” and a violation of national law.
Related: NDC bigwig in trouble: GTEC threatens to sue Richard Kofi Asiedu over unearned ‘Professor’ title
GTEC has again noticed that Richard Kofi Asiedu has resorted to the use of the title "Dr." in his official communications.
According to GTEC, the "Dr" title Mr Asiedu has been using is also only honorary and does not qualify for academic recognition.
In a letter dated August 13, 2025, and signed by GTEC’s Deputy Director-General, Prof Augustine Ocloo, the regulator indicated that it had still not received verifiable documentation from Mr Asiedu’s academic credentials despite earlier requests.
The correspondence, which was also copied to the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, indicated that the intelligence available to the Commission had confirmed that Mr Asiedu's degree was honorary and therefore could not be used as an earned title in any public or official capacity.
GTEC has explained that the use of unearned academic titles misleads the public and undermines the credibility of Ghana’s higher education system.
It has therefore ordered Mr Asiedu to cease using the title immediately and to submit proof that all references to “Doctor” have been removed from institutional profiles, websites, official documents, letterheads, biography and other platforms.
The Commission warned that it takes a serious view of the use of unearned academic titles, whether locally or internationally conferred, and expects full compliance backed by evidence of corrective action.
GTEC is on a national exercise to sanitise the use of unearned academic titles in Ghana as there was an increasing trend of individuals using those unearned titles. GTEC has consistently explained that the use of such unearned academic titles misleads the public and undermines the credibility of Ghana’s higher education system.
Below is a copy of the details contained in the GTEC letter to Mr Richard Kofi Asiedu
USE OF UNEARNED DOCTORATE
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) refers to its earlier correspondence with you regarding the submission of copies of your highest academic qualifications, specifically your Doctorate degree certificate, for evaluation.
Despite prior communication and your own disclaimer regarding the use of the title "Professor" and the nature of the Doctorate, the Commission has not received the required documentation. Intelligence available to the Commission indicates that the Doctorate in question is honorary. As such, and in accordance with academic standards and protocols in Ghana, the use of the title "Dr" in public or official capacities is not permissible for honorary degrees.
Pending the submission and successful verification of a formally earned Doctorate degree certificate, you are hereby directed to immediately cease the use of the title "Doctor" or the abbreviation "Dr" in all official, professional, and public contexts.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission takes a serious view of the use of unearned academic titles, whether conferred locally or internationally that do not meet the criteria for formal academic validation.
The public use of such titles may be misleading and undermine the integrity of the academic system.
You are therefore requested to:
- Cease all use of the title "Doctor" with immediate effect
- Submit verifiable evidence that the title has been removed from:
* Institutional profiles and websites
* Official documents and letterheads
* Professional biographies and public platforms
* Any other materials where the title has been used
The Commission expects your full cooperation in ensuring compliance with this directive and looks forward to receiving written confirmation and supporting evidence at your earliest convenience.
