The People’s National Party (PNP) has officially petitioned the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to conduct a full-scale audit of academic certificates held by appointees in former President John Dramani Mahama’s administration and all public sector workers.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Director-General of GTEC, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, PNP Chairperson and Leader, Madam Janet Nabla, urged the Commission to verify all qualifications from diplomas to PhDs with special attention to degrees obtained from foreign institutions.
The party expressed deep concern over the growing trend of certificate fraud in the public sector, describing it as a serious threat to the credibility of Ghana’s education system and public confidence in state institutions.
“The widespread use of fake certificates not only undermines the integrity of our educational system but also erodes public trust in governance and the credibility of our institutions,” the letter stated.
To curb the menace, the PNP is proposing the creation of a secure, centralized database of verified academic credentials issued by accredited institutions in Ghana. This, they say, will allow employers in both public and private sectors to confirm the authenticity of qualifications before making appointments.
“A country that fails to scrutinise the educational background of its leaders and workforce is bound to face persistent economic and governance challenges. Individuals who resort to fake certifications demonstrate a lack of integrity, and no nation can develop on the foundation of deceit,” the statement added.
In addition, the party is recommending the introduction of a GTEC Monitoring and Evaluation Fee a mandatory levy to be paid by all tertiary students to support the nationwide verification initiative.
The PNP’s petition follows recent directives by GTEC, which instructed several public figures to cease using academic titles such as “Dr” and “Professor” due to lack of verified credentials.
Among those affected are:
Rashid Tanko-Computer, CEO of GIFEC
Dr. Joseph Obeng, President of GUTA
Hon. Desmond De-Graft Paitoo, MP for Gomoa East
Dr. Hassan Ayariga, Leader of the PNC
The party insists that tackling certificate fraud is essential to restoring dignity and trust in Ghana’s public institutions.
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