GTEC Rules Ken Ashigbey’s Doctorate Invalid, Orders Him to Drop “Dr.” Title
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has declared that the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree claimed by Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, is invalid. The Commission has directed him to immediately cease using the title “Dr.” in all official and professional contexts.
What GTEC Found: Inconsistencies & Concerns
A GTEC statement, signed by its Director-General Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, outlines the basis for its decision:
- When asked for verification, Mr. Ashigbey submitted both a certificate and an academic transcript.
- The certificate is from “Swiss Management Centre (SMC),” while the transcript bears the name “Swiss Management Centre (SMC) University.”
- GTEC noted that the institution’s official website currently lists it as “Swiss Management Centre,” without a “University” suffix, raising doubts about whether the transcript name is legitimate.
- Another red flag: the program duration appears unusually long. The transcript indicates that Mr. Ashigbey enrolled on 10 February 2010 and graduated on 30 December 2019 — nearly nine years in total — which GTEC describes as atypical for a professional doctoral program.
On those grounds, GTEC invoked Section 7(i) of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), which empowers the Commission to authenticate and evaluate both local and foreign qualifications, to deem the DBA certificate invalid.
The Order: Stop Using “Dr.” Immediately
In its directive, GTEC orders Mr. Ashigbey to provide verifiable evidence that he has removed the “Dr.” title from:
- All official documents
- Institutional profiles
- Websites and digital platforms
- Letterheads and other professional materials
While the full evaluation of the case is ongoing, the Commission said its decision is an effort to preserve academic integrity and ensure that only legitimate qualifications are given recognition in Ghana.
Response & Repercussions
At the time of writing, there is no publicly documented response from Mr. Ashigbey or his legal representatives. It remains unclear whether he plans to challenge the decision or provide additional evidence to support his qualification.
If Mr. Ashigbey fails to comply — by continuing to use the “Dr.” title or refusing to demonstrate its removal — it is possible that further disciplinary or legal steps could be initiated under Ghanaian regulation.
Context & Significance
This development is notable for several reasons:
- Academic credential scrutiny in Ghana. In recent years, Ghanaian educational authorities and institutions have increasingly come under pressure to verify academic credentials, combat “honorary doctorates” or questionable foreign degrees, and protect the value of legitimate qualifications.
- Public trust & professional standing. As CEO of a major industry body, Mr. Ashigbey occupies a high-visibility position. Questions about his academic credentials may affect professional credibility, especially in sectors like mining and government relations.
- Precedent. GTEC’s unapologetic move to invalidate a doctorate claimed by a public figure sends a strong message about institutional accountability. It may influence how other credential disputes are handled in the future.
What Remains Unclear
- Whether Mr. Ashigbey will submit supplementary documentation or appeal the decision
- Whether GTEC’s further investigation will uncover additional irregularities
- How this will affect Mr. Ashigbey’s standing, contractual obligations, or appointments (if the “Dr.” title is stipulated in any formal agreements)
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