The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has dismissed claims by Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, that she holds the academic title of professor, cautioning her against presenting herself as such.
In a letter to the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, GTEC explained that it had earlier directed Dr. Ayensu-Danquah to submit documentary proof of her professorial appointment by August 11, 2025.
Her legal team, led by David K. Ametefe, responded on August 8, arguing that she had been appointed Assistant Professor of Surgery by the University of Utah in the United States and that GTEC had no authority to demand evidence of a foreign appointment.
However, GTEC noted discrepancies in the documents submitted. A letter from the University of Utah, signed by Prof. W. Bradford Rockwell, Vice Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Surgery, confirmed that Dr. Ayensu-Danquah was in fact appointed as an Adjunct Assistant Professor, not Assistant Professor as claimed by her lawyers.
The Commission stressed that omitting the word “Adjunct” was misleading. It further explained that under Ghana’s academic framework, an Adjunct Assistant Professor is a non-tenure track, part-time position—equivalent to a lecturer role, not a senior lecturer and certainly not a professor.
“Based on the above, the Commission concludes that Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah does not hold the title of Professor in any capacity,” the statement read.
GTEC has urged her employers to ensure that she ceases presenting herself as a professor, warning that if the practice continues, it may pursue legal action on grounds of public deception.
