The Assemblies of God, Ghana, has issued a stern directive prohibiting its ministers from using honorary doctorate titles, threatening suspension for any pastor who defies the order or conflicts with Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) regulations.
In a circular dated July 11, 2025, and signed by the church’s General Secretary, the denomination has aligned itself with GTEC’s ongoing campaign against the misuse of academic titles in the country.
The directive follows a resolution passed by the church’s Executive Presbytery and represents one of the most decisive responses by a major religious organization to the education regulator’s crackdown.
According to the directive, pastors who have been awarded honorary doctorates—whether from accredited or unaccredited institutions—are prohibited from styling themselves as “Dr.”
The ban extends beyond honorary titles to include ministers with legitimate academic qualifications, who are also restricted from using their earned degrees in official church communications and public functions.
The church’s decision comes in direct response to GTEC’s intensified enforcement efforts against what it considers the inappropriate use of academic titles.
According to a GTEC statement, the appropriation of honorary titles as part of the name of the recipient is unethical and contravenes several provisions of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), as well as other pertinent laws governing higher education in Ghana.
The Assemblies of God directive follows GTEC’s position that it does not recognise honorary titles as being equivalent to earned academic qualifications.
This stance has put pressure on various institutions and individuals across Ghana to comply with the regulatory body’s interpretation of proper title usage.
The church has warned that any pastor who flouts the directive or is found to conflict with GTEC regulations will face suspension.
This enforcement mechanism demonstrates the denomination’s commitment to maintaining compliance with national education regulations, even at the potential cost of internal conflict with ministers who have long used such titles.
The directive specifically references the church’s General Superintendent, Rev Stephen Wengam, as an example of proper compliance with the new guidelines.
This suggests that even senior church leadership has adjusted their public presentation to align with GTEC’s requirements, setting a precedent for the denomination’s estimated thousands of ministers across the country.
GTEC’s broader campaign against honorary title misuse has targeted prominent public figures beyond religious circles. The commission has issued directives banning individuals from publicly using honorary doctorate or professorship titles, warning that violators will face public exposure and possible legal action.
Recent investigations have reportedly included politicians, traditional leaders, and other public figures who have been directed to cease using unverified academic titles.
The Assemblies of God’s proactive response contrasts with the resistance some institutions and individuals have shown toward GTEC’s directives.
By implementing internal enforcement mechanisms, including potential suspension, the denomination is positioning itself as supportive of educational integrity and regulatory compliance.
This development reflects broader tensions in Ghana between traditional practices of honoring individuals with titles and modern regulatory frameworks governing academic credentials.
The Assemblies of God’s decision may influence other religious denominations and institutions to adopt similar policies, potentially reshaping how honorary titles are perceived and used across Ghanaian society.
The church’s directive is expected to affect hundreds of pastors nationwide who have previously used honorary titles in their ministry work and public engagements.
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei News
