the accreditation challenges in transnational educational ecology: the ghanaian experience
TRANSCRIPT
Accreditation Challenges in Transnational Educational Ecology: The Ghanaian Experience
Dr. Prosper Yao Tsikata & Dr. A. Kobla Dotse
Ghana Embassy, Washington, DC
][ Story Board
• Introduction and statement of problem
• Comparative review of national accreditation
• Earned (residency and online) versus honorary degrees
• Comparative purposive sampling technique
• Analysis
• Impact and recommendations
• Discussion and conclusions
][ Introduction and statement of problem
• Sixty-one percent unqualified tertiary professors in Ghana
• Ghana National Accreditation Board Act 2007 (Act 744)
• Continental dimension of the problem
The Case of South Africa
Pallo Jordan Johnny Molefe
The Case of South Africa
Ellen Tshabalala Mohau Pheko
The Case of Nigeria
Stella Odua (Prof.) David Iornem
][ Comparative Review of National Accreditation
• Accreditation in the US—the US Department of Education’s Office of
Postsecondary Education (OPE) and accreditation agencies
• Accreditation in the UK—Royal Charter, Act of Parliament, Privy
Council and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
(QAA)
• Ghana National Accreditation Board (NAB)
][ Types of Doctoral Degrees
][ Comparative Purposive Sampling Technique
• Institutions with questionable accreditation status
• Individuals associated with such institutions
• Institutions and individuals must be news
][ Central Questions
Institutions and Persons
Atlantic International University, Hawaii (Dr.) Hassan Ayariga
• Not accredited by the OPE
• Listed as unaccredited by the NAB
• Faced Consumer Protection law
suit as unaccredited
Institutions and Persons
Dayspring Christian University & Affiliates Individuals Associated
• Discredited by NAB September 18,
2014
• (Dr.) Kwesi Appiah’s (Ghana’s
2014 World Cup Coach) landmark
precedent
• (Dr.) Sherry Ayittey
• (Dr.) Kofi Portuphy
• (Dr.) Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey
• (Dr.) Gifty Anti
• (Dr.) Bernard Otabil
• (Dr.) John Kudalor (IGP)
Images of Individuals
(Dr.) John Kudalor, IGP (Dr.) Kofi Portuphy & (Dr.) Sherry Ayittey (middle)
Images of Individuals
(Dr.) Abeiku Aggrey (Dr.) Bernard Otabil
Institutions and Persons
Almeda College/University Aquinas Tawiah Quansah (B.A.)
• Unaccredited by the OPE
• Boast Council for Distance Education,
Interfaith Education Ministry &
Association for Online Academic
Excellence accreditations
• Folded up
Institutions and Persons
American Century University Dzifa Aku Ativor (BS.c. & M.A.)
• Unaccredited by the OPE
• Classified diploma mill
(Foreign Credits
International Experts, 2013)
Institutions and Persons
European-American University (Dr.) Bernice Adiku Heloo
• A corporate charter granted by
Commonwealth of Dominica
• Royal Charter HM Omukama of
Bunyoro-Kitara of Uganda
• Royal Charter HRH, Chief of
Gomoa Nyanyano
Institutions and Persons
St. Thomas A-Bucket University Canterbury
(Dr.) Patrick Kobla Agboba or HRM Hon. (Dr.) Togbui Sri III
• Not listed among recognized
bodies in the UK
• A non-existent institution
Institutions and Persons
Swiss Management Center (SMC) Individuals Associated
• Unaccredited by the Swiss
Accreditation Council (SAC)
• Accreditation Council for Business
Schools and Programs (ACBSP), not an
accredited agency of OPE
• ACBSP accredit programs, not
institutions
• (Prof. Dr. Dr.) Goski Alabi, UPS
• (Dr.) John Gatsi, UCC
• (Dr.) Tetteh Nettey
• And many others
Institutions and Persons
Rev. (Prof. Dr. Dr.) Mrs. Goski Alabi (Dr.) John Gatsi
Institutions and Persons
University of Dublin & University of California
(Dr.) Theophilus Tay (aka Theophilus Worgbale)
• University of California exist
• It is accredited
• The individual is not associated
• University of Dublin, California, is
an unaccredited diploma mill
Institutions and Persons
(Dr.) Samson Effah-Apraku (Dr.) Nana Yaa Jantuah
][ Observations
• General Observations
• Contravention of NAB Act 2007 (Act 744)
• European-American University and the Chief of Gomoa Nyanyano
• Undermining trust among educational institutions
• Conflict of interest and public risk
• Working tool versus ornamental
][ Observations
• Uncritical-propaganda-dogged media
• Free media ecology
• Conducting a search on claimants
• Daily Graphic an accessory in perpetuating illegality
][ Observations
• Unquestioning Public
• The Ghanaian form of interpellation
• A critical mind or a “hater?”
• The narrative of a watchman who becomes a doctor
• The deafening silence of academia
][ Observations
• University Registrar’s Office
• University administrative hub
• Background checks and due diligence
Impacts and Recommendations
Impacts Recommendations
• Poor training and rippling effects
• Wages for bad work done
• The marathon race
• Rules and regulations
• Bad public sector policies
• Dissolution of NAB
• Prosecutory powers for NAB
• Educational attaché
• Initiate mentoring processes
• Wholesale background checks
Discussion and Conclusion
Discussion Conclusions
• Individual responsibility
• Why online degree from
Nicaragua?
• The question of double doctorate
• Excellent institutions and the law
• Variations in accreditation
• Weak accreditation system in Ghana
• Individuals and institutions take
advantage
• Wholesale and regular audit
][ Afterword for Non-Academic Reader
• Non-academic readers go to page 16 of document for a case-by-case
examination of the institutions and individuals identified in this report.
Then, do the following:
I. Place the name of the institution into Google and find out all there is about it.
II. Place the name of the individuals listed in the report into Google and establish the
connection.
III. Draw your own conclusions and begin to have a conversation with a friend, a family member,
your employer, and just anyone close to you.