News:
March 17, 2026
Herbal practitioners who assume the title of “Doctor” without the requisite academic or medical qualifications have been strongly advised to desist from the practice.
Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, issued the warning during a session of Parliament’s Government Assurance Committee, which addressed the growing concern over the misuse of professional and academic titles in Ghana.
Speaking in an interview, Dr. Apaak emphasized that the title “Dr.” is not merely a form of address but a designation earned through rigorous academic and professional training.
“You cannot use the title ‘Dr.’ if you have not gone through the academic training to earn it, just as you cannot use it if you have not undergone the necessary medical training,” he stated.
He further clarified that even individuals who receive honorary doctorates are not permitted to use the title in a professional or formal capacity. According to Dr. Apaak, this distinction is one the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has been particularly strict about enforcing.
“If you are given an honorary degree by an academic institution, you cannot sign your name with that title,” he explained, underscoring the commission’s commitment to upholding the integrity of academic and professional designations.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com