The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, to stop using the title “Dr.” after declaring his Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) certificate from the Swiss Management Centre (SMC) invalid.
In a statement signed by its Director General, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, GTEC cited discrepancies between Ashigbey’s certificate and transcript, raising questions about the authenticity of the qualification.
According to GTEC, Ashigbey’s certificate was issued by the Swiss Management Centre, while his transcript bore the name Swiss Management Centre (SMC) University. The Commission found it unusual that the transcript, issued later, included the word “University,” which was not reflected on the certificate. GTEC also expressed concerns over the unusually long duration of the program, which spanned nine years.
“In view of the above, and in accordance with Section 7(i) of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), the GTEC deems your Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) certificate from the Swiss Management Centre (SMC) invalid,” the statement read. GTEC has instructed Ashigbey to provide verifiable proof that the “Dr.” title has been removed from all official and professional materials.
The Commission’s directive is in line with its mandate to protect academic integrity and ensure that only legitimate qualifications are recognized in Ghana. The investigation is ongoing, but the directive has been issued to ensure compliance.
