The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has unveiled a comprehensive policy to regulate the conferment of honorary degrees, aiming to protect academic integrity, prevent misuse, and ensure full transparency across all tertiary institutions in Ghana.
Effective immediately, the directive applies to all public and chartered private universities and sets clear standards for how honorary degrees must be nominated, vetted, and awarded.
The move responds to growing concerns over the commercialisation, politicisation, and improper conferment of honorary awards. Under the new framework, universities are now required to establish Honorary Degrees Committees, document every nomination, conduct thorough due diligence on nominees, and maintain permanent registers of all awards. GTEC has made it clear that honorary degrees cannot be exchanged for donations, political favors, or material influence.
“Honorary degrees are meant to recognise genuine achievement and contribution, not to serve as tools for personal gain or institutional promotion,” said Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of GTEC. “This policy provides a clear framework to uphold academic integrity and safeguard the reputation of Ghanaian institutions.”
The policy explicitly bars unaccredited institutions, mentored colleges, and external bodies from awarding honorary degrees. Any awards from such entities will not be recognised. Additionally, recipients of honorary degrees are not permitted to use the title ‘Dr.’ unless it is clearly stated as an honorary designation. Misuse or misrepresentation of titles may result in revocation of the award.
Universities must ensure full transparency throughout the process. Nomination procedures must include documented citations, at least two independent references, criminal and integrity checks, and approval through the Academic Board and University Council. GTEC also retains the authority to audit institutions, query excessive awards, and impose sanctions, including warnings, suspension of degree-awarding rights, or public disclosure of violations. Repeated non-compliance could even affect a university’s charter and recognition status.
The policy also sets firm limits on the frequency and number of awards, emphasizing that honorary degrees should be conferred sparingly to maintain their prestige. Institutions must guide recipients on proper usage and ensure certificates clearly state Honorary – Honoris Causa.
With this policy, GTEC is reinforcing governance, accountability, and ethical standards in Ghana’s higher education system.
Universities are now required to align their honorary degree practices with national regulations, ensuring awards reflect merit, transparency, and public trust, while protecting both institutional and national reputations.
