Dr. Joseph Obeng, GUTA President
The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), backed by several affiliated trade organizations, has issued a strong rebuttal to what it describes as a “malicious and unwarranted” caution by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) against the use of an honorary doctorate title by its President, Dr. Joseph Obeng.
In a statement released Monday, May 19, 2025, GUTA condemned the GTEC advisory as an unjustifiable attempt to discredit Dr. Obeng, a widely respected figure in Ghana’s informal economy. It described the move as an “overreach of authority” intended to tarnish the image of a man whose leadership, it says, has helped transform the country’s private enterprise landscape.
“This action is not only unjustified, but it is also viewed by the trading community as a deliberate slight against a man who has tirelessly championed Ghana’s informal sector and uplifted the nation’s entrepreneurial base,” the statement read.
Dr. Obeng, who has led GUTA for several years, received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanity from the Alpha International Theological Seminary in April 2016. The seminary cited his contributions to human development and private enterprise. That same day, he was also honored with a Platinum Award for Excellence in Leadership by the Centre for Transformational Leadership, Accra.
“These are not vanity accolades. They are meritorious honors granted by reputable institutions, recognizing proven leadership and measurable impact on national progress,” GUTA emphasised.
The Union argued that such recognitions should not be diminished simply because they do not emanate from traditional academic institutions. “Dr. Obeng’s leadership and advocacy transcend academic credentials. His contributions are felt in markets, boardrooms, and national policy discussions,” the statement added.
Retraction and Apology
GUTA further caller on GTEC to immediately retract its caution and issue a public apology to Dr. Obeng for what it describes as reputational harm. The Union also urged GTEC to adopt a more measured and consultative approach when commenting on matters involving respected national figures.
“GTEC must recognize diverse pathways to leadership and excellence, especially those born from economic transformation and grassroots advocacy rather than solely academic credentials,” GUTA noted.
Solidarity
GUTA reiterated that it would not tolerate any attempt to undermine its leadership. The association declared that the informal sector—representing a significant portion of the nation’s economic activity—deserves respect and dignity.
“Dr. Joseph Obeng is not merely a representative of traders; he is a symbol of resilience, service, and visionary leadership in Ghana’s economic landscape. His work has restored dignity to thousands of traders and entrepreneurs across the country,” the statement added.
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