- GTEC revoked recognition of ICAG over CEO Eric Oduro Osae’s use of an unearned doctoral title
- All certificates issued by ICAG from January 8, 2026, are now considered unrecognised
- GTEC warned that the revocation is reversible if corrective measures are taken
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has revoked its recognition of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), effective immediately, citing the continued use of an unearned doctoral title by the Institute’s Chief Executive Officer, Eric Oduro Osae.
In a letter dated January 8, 2026, signed by GTEC Director-General Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, the Commission directed ICAG to cease operations as a recognised institution, warning that all certificates issued from that date would be deemed unrecognised.
The move follows what GTEC described as a serious breach of quality assurance protocols after a recent media profile of Oduro Osae claimed he held a Doctorate in Political Economy, despite prior directives instructing him to stop using the academic title “Dr.”
GTEC stated that it had previously investigated Oduro Osae’s academic credentials in a letter dated October 13, 2025, and found the doctoral certificates he presented from the Swiss Management Centre (SMC) and Universidad Central de Nicaragua (UCN) to be invalid and unrecognised under Ghana’s tertiary education framework.
The Commission noted multiple inconsistencies in the submitted academic records, including missing credit hours, unclear grading systems, unverifiable course classifications, and ambiguity regarding the relationship between SMC and UCN in awarding the degrees.
Additionally, GTEC said it could not reconcile conflicting claims that Oduro Osae held doctoral qualifications from the University of London, SMC, and UCN, as no verifiable documentation was provided to substantiate any of these assertions.
“As a result of these unresolved discrepancies, the certificates from Swiss Management Centre and Universidad Central de Nicaragua are hereby declared invalid,” the October 2025 letter stated, directing Oduro Osae to immediately cease using the title “Dr.” in all professional and public contexts.
Despite this directive, GTEC said it became aware of a publication profiling Oduro Osae in connection with his appointment as ICAG CEO, in which he was again described as holding a Doctorate in Political Economy.
“The inclusion of this information is misleading and undermines the credibility and integrity of the institution you currently head,” the January 8 letter stated.
GTEC clarified that its withdrawal of recognition is reversible, provided corrective actions are taken by Oduro Osae and ICAG to address the breach. The Commission also instructed its Director of Corporate Affairs to list ICAG among unrecognised institutions for public reference.
The decision comes days after ICAG announced Oduro Osae’s appointment as CEO, effective January 5, 2026. In a statement to members, the Institute described him as an experienced chartered accountant, lawyer, and governance expert, claiming he holds a Doctorate in Political Economy alongside other academic and professional qualifications.
