The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed the Acting Registrar of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC), Yakubu Tobor Yusuf, to provide clarification and documentation regarding his use of the academic title “Dr. (MH).”
In a letter signed by the Director-General of GTEC, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, and addressed to Yakubu Tobor Yusuf, with a copy to the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, the Commission stated that it had not granted approval for the use of the title, citing concerns over the authenticity of the academic qualification.
Under Section 7(i) of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), GTEC is mandated to evaluate and authenticate both local and foreign academic qualifications.
The Commission emphasised that it had no record validating Mr Yusuf’s claimed doctoral title and demanded full disclosure of his academic credentials.
The GTEC has requested Mr Yusuf to submit, for verification, the full name of the awarding institution, a copy of the relevant degree certificate, and an official academic transcript.
The Commission further instructed that, should Mr Yusuf fail to provide the required documentation, he must immediately cease using the title “Dr.” in all professional and public communications.
He is also required to provide proof of its removal from official documents, institutional or professional profiles, websites, digital platforms, letterheads and other public materials.
The directive has been forwarded to the Ministry of Health, Mr Yusuf’s employer, through the Chief Director, for enforcement action. GTEC has set a deadline of October 24, 2025, for the submission of the required documents or proof of withdrawal of the title.
“The Commission expects your full cooperation on this matter,” the letter stated.
The development forms part of GTEC’s ongoing efforts to tighten oversight of academic qualifications in public institutions amid growing concerns about title misrepresentation and the use of unaccredited credentials.
Read the full letter below:
Dear Sir,
REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION - USE OF ACADEMIC TITLE (“DR. MH”)
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has taken note of your use of the academic title “Dr. (MH),” specifically referring to yourself as Dr (MH). Yakubu Tobor Yusuf.
Under the authority granted by Section 7(i) of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023)—which mandates the Commission to evaluate and authenticate both local and foreign academic qualifications—GTEC hereby affirms that it has not granted approval for the use of the title “Dr. (MH)”.
In light of this, you are hereby directed to submit the following information and documentation for verification:
Clarification regarding your use of the title “Dr.,” including:
✓ The full name(s) of the awarding institution(s);
✓ A copy of the relevant degree certificate(s);
✓ A copy of the official academic transcript(s).
Should you be unable to provide the above documentation, you are required to immediately cease the use of the title “Dr.” in all forms and representations. You must also provide verifiable evidence confirming its removal from all relevant platforms, including but not limited to:
Official documents;
Institutional or professional profiles;
Websites and digital platforms;
Letterheads;
Any other public or professional materials.
This directive is being communicated to your employer — the Ministry of Health — through the Chief Director (copied herein) for appropriate enforcement action.YAKUBU TOBOR YUSUF
The Commission expects your full cooperation on this matter. Kindly ensure that all requested documentation — or confirmation of title withdrawal — is submitted not later than 24th October, 2025.
Yours faithfully,
(Signature)
PROF. AHMED JINAPOR ABDULAI
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
Cc: Chief Director, MoH–Accra
