The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has announced that it does not recognise Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) certificates issued by the Swiss Management Centre (SMC) University in Switzerland.
The Commission has also ruled that the Top-up Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree awarded by Universidad Central de Nicaragua (UCN) is not valid for academic or professional purposes in Ghana.
In a public notice dated October 21, 2025, and signed by GTEC’s Director-General, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, the Commission stated that this directive supersedes all previous communications issued by both the former National Accreditation Board (NAB) and GTEC regarding these qualifications.
The clarification follows the Commission’s publication of a list of 50 foreign tertiary institutions whose operations and qualifications are not recognised in Ghana due to accreditation and quality assurance violations. GTEC has cautioned heads of tertiary institutions, employers, and the general public against accepting academic credentials from such unaccredited institutions.
According to the statement, GTEC received numerous inquiries after releasing the list, prompting it to reaffirm its position on the DBA degrees from SMC University and the Top-up PhDs from UCN. The Commission reiterated that these qualifications do not meet the standards required for recognition within Ghana’s tertiary education framework.
GTEC further emphasised that its action is part of a broader effort to protect the integrity of Ghana’s higher education system and ensure that only qualifications from accredited institutions are accepted for academic or professional use in the country.
Read full notice below:
NON-RECOGNITION OF DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (DBA) FROM SWISS MANAGEMENT CENTRE (SMC) UNIVERSITY AND DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PHD) FROM UNIVERSIDAD CENTRAL DE NICARAGUA (UCN)
Further to our letter dated 20th October 2025, concerning the non-recognition of certain tertiary education institutions by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), the Commission has received numerous enquiries regarding the recognition status of the following qualifications:
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) awarded by Swiss Management Centre (SMC)
University; and
- Top-up Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) awarded by Universidad Central de Nicaragua (UCN).
The Commission wishes to inform all Heads of Tertiary Institutions that it does not recognize the following qualifications:
- The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) awarded by Swiss Management Centre (SMC) University; and
- The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) jointly awarded by Universidad Central de Nicaragua (UCN) and Swiss Management Centre (SMC) University.
Accordingly, any such qualifications obtained from the above-mentioned institutions are not recognized by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission for academic or professional purposes.
This notice supersedes all previous communications issued by the erstwhile National Accreditation Board (NAB) and the current GTEC on this matter.
Site for Adaklu District 24-hour economy market handed over to contractor
Govt to complete over 1,000MW power expansion in Kumasi — John Jinapor
Amin Adam made co-chair of Buwumia's Finance and Economy Committee
NPP appoints Akosua Manu as spokesperson for gender and social protection commit...
GHS activates national surveillance following hantavirus outbreak on Cape Verde ...
South Africa denies xenophobia claims as Ghana pushes AU action
Kennedy Agyapong rejects co-chair appointment by Bawumia
Police arrest six suspects over alleged child trafficking syndicate in Kasoa
Former Deputy AG urges GJA to resist return to ‘Culture of Silence’
Four killed in Savannah Region road crash involving tipper truck
Comments
What is GTEC doing about the overstay of Some Principals in the College of Education. I respectfully seek clarification and ensure adherence to the provisions of the Harmonised Statutes governing Colleges of Education in Ghana, particularly the section that deals with the tenure of office of principals and other officers. According to the Statutes, and specifically the clause which states that: Statute 46: Transitional Provisions 1. Any Senior Staff A of the College, who immediately be...