The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), as part of its campaign to sanitise the use of unearned academic credentials in Ghana, has decided to conduct a forensic audit of all appointments and promotions undertaken at the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Navrongo in the Upper East Region under the tenure of the current Vice-Chancellor.

It follows a revelation that under the current Vice Chancellor, Prof Albert Luguterah, due process was not followed in an application for appointment as an Associate Professor by Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the current Acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

According to GTEC, the application should have been routed through the relevant Department, Faculty, and External Assessors for proper evaluation.

However, it said, that was done. 

"In the light of this situation, the Vice-Chancellor [Prof Albert Luguterah], who appears to be spearheading this process, must be investigated by the University Council. The investigation should determine how such a significant procedural breach occurred under his leadership. A formal report of the findings must be submitted to the Commission by 30th September, 2025," a letter dated September 10, 2025, seen by Graphic Online and addressed to the Chairman of the University Council stated.

Again, GTEC has indicated that checks reveal that when Dr. Akoriyea applied for a part-time position in the Department of Anaesthesia in 2024, he was already being referred to as a "Professor."

"The Commission finds it extremely concerning that within such a short period, his application has been processed and is now under consideration by the University Council."

Accordingly, the Commission's position is that the said application must not be entertained or considered by the University's Appointments and Promotions Board.

GTEC had earlier taken action against Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, of the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Navrongo in the Upper East Region, for his continuous use of the unearned title of "Professor."

Dr Akoriyea, who is also currently the Acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service took over from the previous Director-General, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, in January 2025.

According to GTEC, a review of Dr. Akoriyea's submission finds "no verifiable evidence" that he has held a substantive, full-time academic position or progressed through the requisite academic ranks necessary for the legitimate conferment of the title "Professor."

The move followed a petition from a member of the public challenging the use of the academic title "Professor" by Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea.

In a letter dated September 1, 2025, signed by Deputy Director-General, Prof Augustine Ocloo, and seen by Graphic Online, GTEC referred to a recent correspondence with the management of the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences regarding the matter.

In response to the petition, the Commission engaged Dr. Akoriyea, who indicated that he had been promoted to the rank of Professor by the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences in Navrongo.

"This claim was subsequently confirmed by your institution [C.K. Tedam Univ]" the letter stated.

GTEC in the letter, however, indicated to the management of the university that, the standard academic progression to the rank of Professor within Ghana is as follows: Lecturer → Senior Lecturer → Associate Professor → Professor.

It explained that upon review of Dr. Akoriyea's submission, the Commission finds no verifiable evidence that he has held a substantive, full-time academic position or progressed through the requisite academic ranks necessary for the legitimate conferment of the title "Professor."

GTEC clarified that the designation "Part-Time Lecturer (Associate Professor)" does not constitute a substantive or tenured academic appointment. Such positions are typically temporary and non-tenured, offered to distinguished professionals for limited academic engagements, such as guest lecturers or collaborative research. They do not carry the permanency, responsibilities, or entitlements associated with substantive academic ranks such as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Full Professor.

In light of the above, the Commission directed the University to either "withdraw the appointment; or formally communicate to Dr. Akoriyea that the appointment was for a single term, non-tenured, and does not entitle him to use the title "Professor."

Why the forensic audit

In its letter dated September 10, 2025 and signed by Mrs Anita Nanfuri, Acting Director for Administration and Human Resources, the commission referred to its recent engagement with Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyca regarding the use of the title "Professor," and to the earlier correspondence with the University on the same subject.

It said following the final decision and direction on the matter, which directed the university to either withdraw Dr. Akoriyea's appointment, or formally communicate to him that his appointment is a single-term, non-tenured position, which does not entitle him to use the title "Professor," and despite the clear directives, the Commission said it had noted that the University has submitted Dr. Akoriyea's application to the Appointments and Promotions Board for consideration for the position of Associate Professor (Clinical Professor).

"The Commission wishes to draw the attention of the University's Management to the following facts:

• Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea is not a staff member of the University.
• Even if he were, due process requires that his application be routed through the relevant Department, Faculty, and External Assessors for proper evaluation.

It said further checks reveal that when Dr. Akoriyea applied for a part-time position in the Department of Anaesthesia in 2024, he was already being referred to as "Professor."

It added that the Commission finds it extremely concerning that within such a short period, his application has been processed and is now under consideration by the University Council.

Accordingly, the Commission's position is that:

• The said application must not be entertained or considered by the University's Appointments and Promotions Board.

"In the light of this situation, the Vice-Chancellor [Prof Albert Luguterah], who appears to be spearheading this process, must be investigated by the University Council. The investigation should determine how such a significant procedural breach occurred under his leadership. A formal report of the findings must be submitted to the Commission by 30th September, 2025," the letter a copy of which has been seen by Graphic Online and addressed to the Chairman of the University Council, stated.

Furthermore, it said, given the gravity of the infraction, the Commission wishes to inform the University Council and Management that it will conduct a forensic audit of all appointments and promotions undertaken during the tenure of the current Vice-Chancellor.

It added that the date of this audit will be communicated in due course and urged the Chairman of the University Council and the Council as a whole to treat this matter with the utmost seriousness and urgency it warrants.