The Assemblies of God (AG) in Ghana has instructed all its ministers to refrain from using honorary academic titles such as “Dr.” This directive aligns with the regulations of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), which does not recognise these titles as equivalent to earned academic qualifications.
In a circular dated July 11 and signed by the church’s General Secretary, Rev. Ernest Birikorang (Ph.D.), pastors were reminded of the importance of maintaining the integrity of the ministry in order to avoid conflicts with the regulator. The directive clarified that pastors who have been conferred honorary doctorate degrees—regardless of whether they come from accredited or non-accredited institutions—must not append the title “Dr.” to their names.
Additionally, the circular urged ministers who have legitimately pursued academic programs resulting in degrees such as bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. to be prepared to submit their certificates to the GTEC for verification if they wish for those qualifications to be officially recognized by the church. It also warned that any pastor who disregards this directive or conflicts with GTEC regulations may face suspension.
Background
The Assemblies of God has issued a directive following a series of stern warnings from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) regarding the misuse of academic titles in the country. In April of this year, the commission raised concerns about a growing trend of individuals presenting themselves as “Dr.” or “Prof.” based on honorary awards. GTEC stated that while honorary degrees are legitimate, they are purely symbolic and do not grant academic or professional status to recipients. The commission emphasised that the use of such titles can mislead the public and undermine the integrity of the nation’s higher education system.
GTEC clarified that only those who have earned their qualifications through academic study and research are entitled to use these titles. The commission cited the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), which empowers it to regulate the use of academic nomenclature, including “Doctor” and “Professor.” Under this law, offenders may face penalties, including fines of up to 250 penalty units, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
To promote compliance, GTEC has launched public education campaigns and warned that it may publish the names of offenders and pursue legal action against those who repeatedly violate these regulations.
Example of leadership
In the Assemblies of God circular, Rev. Birikorang urged pastors to follow the example of the church’s General Superintendent, Rev. Stephen Wengam, who announced last year that, although an honorary doctorate had been conferred on him, he had voluntarily ceased using the title “Dr” and encouraged other ministers to do the same.
Rev. Birikorang expressed confidence that church ministers would adhere to the directive, noting that doing so would uphold the ministry’s credibility and show respect for Ghana’s education regulatory framework. He said that, by aligning with the directives, the Assemblies of God becomes one of the first major Christian denominations in the country to formally instruct its ministers to refrain from using honorary titles.
Source: Joyce Timbillah Awuni
