Professor Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah’s lawyers have rejected a directive from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) ordering her to stop using the title “Professor.”
In a strongly worded response, her legal team described the directive as defamatory, unlawful, and a clear overreach of GTEC’s mandate.
They argued that the commission has no authority to regulate the conferment or recognition of academic titles, stressing that such pronouncements not only tarnish Prof. Ayensu-Danquah’s reputation but also undermine due process.
“Our client is deeply displeased, not only by the conclusions you have reached, but by the manner in which your letters have been framed. The tone adopted has been abrasive, unnecessarily combative, and in parts, disparaging. The communications, in our respectful view, fall short of the standards of professionalism, impartiality, and courtesy that should characterise the actions of a statutory administrative body established under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023).”
The lawyers have given GTEC 14 days to retract its directive and issue a public apology or risk facing legal action.
This dispute follows GTEC’s recent statement questioning the legitimacy of Prof. Ayensu-Danquah’s academic credentials and ordering her to refrain from using the title pending investigations.
Her legal team insists that she legitimately earned the title and views the directive as a deliberate attempt to discredit her professional standing.
“Having involved such high-level offices in an issue that should have been addressed with our client in a professional and discreet manner, it is now necessary that they are fully apprised of the concerns raised herein.
Finally, we request that you respond to this letter within fourteen (14) days of receipt, with full disclosure of the documents, processes, and legal provisions relied upon, failing which our client reserves all her rights to seek appropriate remedies including orders of certiorari and mandamus, as well as declaratory relief to protect her reputation and professional standing.
We trust that this matter will receive your urgent attention and that the Commission will take steps to realign its approach to ensure that its actions remain within the confines of the law and the principles of fair administrative justice.”
