In a bold move to uphold academic integrity, Ghana’s education watchdog is under the microscope itself. The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), led by Director-General Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, has been spearheading a high-profile campaign to eradicate unaccredited distance learning centers and combat the misuse of academic titles. But here’s where it gets controversial: the very leader of this initiative is now facing scrutiny over his own academic credentials.
GTEC’s mission is twofold: streamline the accreditation of tertiary programs through its digital platform, the Accreditation Management Information System (AMIS), and bolster the credibility of legitimate certificates while tackling the issue of unearned qualifications. This campaign has sparked public debate, with some questioning whether Prof. Abdulai is the right person to lead such an effort.
And this is the part most people miss: Last Friday, Kwame Simpe Ofori, invoking the Right to Information (RTI) Act, penned a letter to the GTEC Governing Board demanding full disclosure of Prof. Abdulai’s academic credentials, publications, and promotion to professorship. Ofori’s request, shared with Graphic Online, highlights a glaring absence of peer-reviewed research or scholarly citations attributed to Prof. Abdulai on platforms like Google Scholar, Scopus, and ResearchGate.
Ofori’s letter reads, “As research productivity remains a fundamental requirement for the award of professorial status, clarification on this matter will reinforce confidence in the processes governing academic promotions and appointments within Ghana’s tertiary-education landscape.”
GTEC has responded through its Acting Director of Corporate Affairs, Jerry Sarfo, expressing willingness to provide transparency. But the question remains: Can Prof. Abdulai’s academic journey—from his first-class honors at the University of Ghana to his doctorate from West Virginia University—withstand this level of scrutiny?
Here’s the twist: Kwame Simpe Ofori, the petitioner, is no stranger to controversy himself. He holds a doctorate from the Swiss Management Centre (SMC), a qualification rejected by Ho Technical University due to its online nature. GTEC has since declared all SMC certificates unrecognized in Ghana. Ofori’s own academic journey, including a disputed study leave and subsequent disengagement from Ho Technical University, adds a layer of intrigue to this saga.
Prof. Abdulai’s impressive career—from teaching at the University of Education, Winneba, to serving on multiple governing councils, including the Ghana Immigration Service Board and the University of Ghana Governing Council—is now under the spotlight. His innovations at GTEC, such as AMIS, have positioned the commission as a reputable regulatory body. Yet, the absence of a visible research footprint raises questions about the standards of academic leadership in Ghana.
Is this a case of the pot calling the kettle black, or a legitimate call for accountability? As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the stakes are high for both Prof. Abdulai and the future of academic integrity in Ghana. What do you think? Is Prof. Abdulai’s leadership compromised, or is this a necessary growing pain for a system striving for transparency? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
