The leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga, is fighting back after the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) publicly directed him to cease using the title “Dr.”, claiming he failed to provide verifiable proof of his academic qualifications.
In a letter dated July 14, 2025, GTEC stated that Ayariga had not responded to its formal request seeking details about his doctoral degree. The Commission demanded clarity on the name of the awarding institution, whether the degree was earned or honorary, the date of conferment, and the academic process involved. GTEC described his silence as “unacceptable,” and warned that the unauthorised use of academic titles is “misleading and inconsistent with the protocols governing academic ranks in Ghana.”
But in a swift and strongly worded response, Hassan Ayariga dismissed the Commission’s approach as disrespectful and damaging to his reputation. He insisted that GTEC never reached out to him directly and said he only learned about the issue through media reports.
“I woke up this morning and all I could hear on social media is that GTEC says I cannot use my Doctorate Degree. I ask how? I didn’t get any letter from GTEC,” Ayariga said in an interview.
According to the APC leader, he holds three doctorate degrees—two honorary and one earned through academic study. While he refused to name the university that awarded the earned doctorate, citing legal strategy, he made it clear that it was in political science and not from a Ghanaian university.
“If I tell you, then I will not be able to sue them. They did not even ask me to submit it, and I didn’t get a letter from them. Why do we behave in this way?” he questioned, visibly upset.
He believes that GTEC should have followed due process by writing to him officially and allowing him the opportunity to clarify or defend his academic background before making public pronouncements.
“Somebody like Hassan Ayariga, if you want to ask him about his doctorate, the most important thing is to issue him a formal letter and ask him to write to you,” he argued.
Ayariga described GTEC’s public statements as defamatory and vowed to sue the Commission for damaging his character and exposing him to public ridicule. He framed the controversy as not just a personal attack, but a failure of institutional conduct.
“Once they have failed to follow due process, I will use the due process to correct them and sue them for defamation of character,” he said.
This unfolding dispute adds to the growing conversation in Ghana about the use of academic titles, especially by public figures, and the need for clarity and consistency in how institutions like GTEC enforce educational standards.
As of now, GTEC has not issued any follow-up statement in response to Ayariga’s rebuttal or his intent to pursue legal action.
This is a developing story.
