The People’s National Party (PNP) is appealing to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), to undertake a full-scale audit of academic credentials submitted by government appointees and public sector employees.
The party’s National Chairperson and Leader, Janet Asana Nabla, in a statement on Wednesday, July 30, emphasized that the exercise must extend beyond PhD holders to include all individuals with diplomas, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.
According to her, the growing trend of forged academic certificates poses a serious threat to public trust and the integrity of Ghana’s governance and education systems.
Mad. Nabla underscored the need for GTEC to conduct a thorough verification process, particularly for qualifications obtained from institutions outside Ghana, where authenticity may be more difficult to confirm due to the rise of unregulated online programs and honorary degrees.
The party further called for swift action in response to GTEC’s recent announcement to prosecute individuals fraudulently using honorary academic titles.
To bolster this nationwide verification drive, the PNP is proposing several reforms.
“We strongly recommend that GTEC develops and maintains a secure and accessible online database containing information on all legitimate certificates issued by accredited institutions in Ghana. This will enable both public and private employers to verify academic credentials before offering appointments or employment. Such a system will ensure that only qualified individuals occupy critical roles in national development.
“Furthermore, the PNP proposes that GTEC secures independent and sustainable funding by introducing a mandatory fee to be paid by all students entering tertiary institutions. This “GTEC Monitoring and Evaluation Fee” will support the ongoing verification, monitoring, and assessment of academic certificates
The party urged GTEC to conduct the exercise thoroughly and swiftly.
“We urge GTEC to take swift action on this matter in the interest of national accountability, development, and the protection of Ghana’s academic and professional standards,” Mad Nabla added.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
