The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has formally requested that Williams Abayaawien Atuilik, affiliated with Heritage Christian University in Amasaman, Accra, substantiate his claim to the title of ‘Professor’ or cease its usage immediately.
In a recent communication, GTEC expressed concerns regarding Atuilik’s continued use of the title ‘Professor,’ suggesting that it may lack the requisite academic credentials.
The Commission warned that the use of unverified titles could undermine the credibility of higher education in Ghana.
The notice from GTEC stated, ‘The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has noted your ongoing reference to yourself as ‘Professor,’ specifically as Prof. Williams Abayaawien Atuilik.’
GTEC has requested that Atuilik submit ‘documentary proof of [his] appointment or promotion to the rank of Associate Professor or Professor by a recognized institution,’ which should include official documents that specify the awarding authority and the date of effect.
Should he fail to comply, GTEC has instructed that he must immediately stop using the title in all contexts, including official university documents, institutional profiles, university websites, official letterheads, and any other public representations.
The letter, which was signed by Prof. Augustine Ocloo, GTEC’s Deputy Director-General, emphasized that ‘the use of such titles—particularly when they lack formal academic validation—can be deceptive and does not align with established academic standards.’
This action is part of GTEC’s broader initiative to tackle the issue of fake academic titles, with the Commission pledging to publicly name offenders and take legal action against those who repeatedly violate these standards.
By Philip Antoh