Accra, Ghana – In a surprising turn of events, Justice Ray Achoanya Ayam, the acting Deputy Director-General of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), has apologized and pledged to stop using the “Dr.” title linked to a degree from Swiss Management Center (SMC) University. The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) had deemed the title “invalid” and demanded its immediate removal from all official platforms.
The controversy erupted on November 4, 2025, when GTEC questioned Ayam’s use of the doctoral title, citing inconsistencies in his academic documents. SMC University, which awarded Ayam a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in 2018, lacks accreditation from GTEC, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the degree.
Initially, Ayam defended his title, arguing it was recognized by Ghana’s former accreditation body, the National Accreditation Board (NAB), and backed by a government scholarship. However, following GTEC’s November 10 directive, he has now retracted the title and committed to compliance.
“GTEC emphasized that using unvalidated titles can be misleading and does not align with Ghana’s academic standards,” the commission stated. The Ministry of Education has been informed to ensure Ayam adheres to the directive ¹.
This incident underscores GTEC’s ongoing efforts to uphold academic integrity in Ghana’s tertiary education system. The case has sparked debate on credential transparency and the need for stricter oversight of international qualifications.
Ayam’s apology serves as a reminder for public officials to ensure their credentials meet national standards. The NaCCA has yet to comment on potential disciplinary actions.