GTEC calls for immediate suspension of Bank Executive over questionable academic titles

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has raised serious concerns about the academic credentials of Mr. Alfred Attuquaye Botchway, an Executive Director and board member of a state-owned commercial bank.

The commission has formally requested his suspension, citing inconsistencies in his claimed qualifications and the use of academic titles that appear to be unearned. This directive has been communicated to the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana as part of broader efforts to safeguard the integrity of the country’s public institutions.

According to a letter dated November 20, 2025, GTEC revealed that Mr. Botchway has been using the titles “Professor” and “Dr.” in official documents without providing convincing proof of the academic work required to earn them.

GTEC began examining his qualifications after several discrepancies emerged in the certificates submitted by Mr. Botchway, particularly those issued by the Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica (UNEM).

The commission noted that UNEM’s qualifications are not recognized in Ghana and clarified that the institution has no academic ties with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)—contrary to claims suggesting otherwise. Further checks confirmed that Mr. Botchway did not complete any doctoral studies at KNUST or through any affiliated programme in Costa Rica.

GTEC’s findings also show that Mr. Botchway has never served in any academic capacity that would allow him to rise through the ranks to become a professor. Records indicate that his only teaching-related engagement dates back to 2008, when he briefly served as a part-time and visiting lecturer at the Pan African Christian University in Winneba. The commission stressed that such limited exposure cannot form the basis for claiming professorial status.

In addition to discrepancies in his academic history, GTEC expressed unease about several professional certifications listed by Mr. Botchway, including FEIFD, FCICT, MIOD, and FCPFM. He has not yet been able to provide adequate evidence to authenticate these titles.

As a result, GTEC has referred the matter to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to determine the circumstances under which the disputed certificates were acquired and to verify the legitimacy of the various titles he continues to use.

GTEC has called for Mr. Botchway to step aside while investigations proceed, emphasising that individuals who occupy high-level positions in state institutions must demonstrate unquestionable credibility. The commission insists that the misuse of academic titles threatens the standards of the public sector and undermines confidence in the country’s higher education system.

Copies of GTEC’s letter have been sent to key government and institutional leaders, signalling the seriousness of the matter. The outcome of the NIB investigation will determine whether administrative sanctions or legal actions will follow, as Ghana moves to tighten scrutiny around academic claims among public office holders.