- President Mahama sacks Dr. Nuhu Zakaria as CEO of the National Ambulance Service
- GTEC ordered Zakaria to stop using the title "Professor" due to lack of accreditation
- No official reason given, but dismissal follows growing controversy over academic title misuse
President John Mahama has relieved Dr. Nuhu Zakaria of his duties as Chief Executive Officer of the National Ambulance Service amid growing controversy surrounding his alleged misuse of the academic title “Professor.”
While no official explanation has been provided for his dismissal, the move closely follows a directive from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), which ordered Dr. Zakaria to stop using the title. According to GTEC, he had not legitimately earned the designation from any accredited institution, either in Ghana or abroad.
In a letter dated June 21, 2024, GTEC stated that only institutions granted a presidential charter are authorized to confer such titles. The Commission described the unauthorized use of academic titles as both dishonest and misleading. “You are therefore directed to desist from using the title ‘Professor’ with immediate effect, as it has not been conferred on you by a legally mandated body,” the letter emphasized.
Although it is uncertain whether GTEC’s directive directly influenced President Mahama’s decision, the timing has raised public speculation and discussion.
Dr. Zakaria, a veteran in emergency medical services, had overseen significant developments at the National Ambulance Service, including the nationwide expansion of emergency response capabilities.
