An old video of Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, the Deputy Minister of Health, explaining her professorship has resurfaced after the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) revealed she does not hold the title of a professor.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah, during her appearance before the Appointments Committee of Parliament for her vetting in July 2025, revealed she holds the title of Professor of Surgery.
She noted that the American system in which her professorship was earned is different from the Ghanaian system.
Speaking during her vetting, Dr Ayensu-Danquah stated, “The American system is completely different from the Ghana system”.
“… I am a professor of surgery at the University of Utah; I am a professor of global surgery by the American College of Surgeons and the American Board of Surgery. I have worked in teaching for the last 15 years. The American College of Surgeons has my name as a professor, Ayensu-Danquah. I am a board-certified surgeon, doubly boarded from the United States of America,” she added.
She further explained the process she underwent to become a licensed medical practitioner in Ghana.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah specified that she is also a surgical specialist after completing professional examinations.
“I am licensed in Ghana not only as a surgeon, but also as a surgeon specialist. In 2014, even though I was a professor of surgery in the United States, I came back to Ghana. I took a written exam for a whole day. The next day, I sat in front of three surgeons in Korle-Bu and I did an oral exam,” she explained.
However, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has said Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, the Deputy Minister of Health, does not hold the title of a professor.
GTEC has warned Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah against presenting herself as a professor.
According to GTEC, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, despite her claims, was never appointed as an Assistant Professor of Surgery by the University of Utah in the United States.
GTEC, in a letter addressed to the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, requested Dr Ayensu-Danquah to provide documentary proof of her professorial appointment by August 11, 2025.
According to the deputy minister legal team responded and insisted she was an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah in the United States.
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission further revealed that documents submitted by Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah’s legal team were inconsistent.
GTEC added that a letter from the University of Utah, signed by Prof. W. Bradford Rockwell, Vice Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Surgery, clarified that Dr. Ayensu-Danquah was appointed as an Adjunct Assistant Professor and not Assistant Professor.
According to GTEC, the role of Adjunct Assistant Professor is a non-tenure track position which equates to a part-time lecturer under Ghana’s academic framework and not a senior lecturer, and certainly not a professor.
GTEC letter boldly stated, “Based on the above, the Commission concludes that Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah does not hold the title of Professor in any capacity”.
They further warn the deputy of presenting herself as a professor otherwise, legal action on grounds of public deception will be initiated against her.
In addition, GTEC has also warned the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC), Sofo Rashid Tanko-Computer, to cease using the doctor title.
Tanko-Computer had maintained he acquired a PhD from Kingsnow University in 2016, but GTEC, in a letter on June 3, 2025, stated the degree was unearned.
He was ordered to stop using the title Doctor. GTEC further requested Tanko-Computer to take off the Doctor title from platforms, such as official documents, institutional profiles, websites, letterheads, and any other public or professional representations.
Also, Hassan Ayariga, the Presidential Candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), was directed to stop using the academic title “Dr” after he failed to provide evidence verifying the legitimacy of the designation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 15, the Commission stated, “To date, the Commission has not received any response from you. This continued silence is unacceptable”.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission hereby formally expresses its concern regarding the use of academic titles that have not been duly earned and conferred through a recognised academic process.
“The use of such titles, particularly when lacking formal academic validation, is misleading and inconsistent with the academic protocols and standards governing the conferment and use of academic ranks in Ghana,” GTEC stated.
Meanwhile, on May 30, 2025, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission warned against the abuse of titles like Doctor and Professor by people without documented credentials.
Watch the video below: