Assemblies of God Warns Pastors Against Unaccredited Colleges as GTEC Lists 50 Illegal Institutions

The Assemblies of God, Ghana, has issued a strong caution to its pastors and members against enrolling in or using certificates from unaccredited tertiary institutions. The warning comes after the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) published a list of 50 institutions found to be operating illegally across the country.

In a statement released on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, and signed by the General Superintendent, Rev. Stephen Y. Wengam, the church reminded its clergy that all academic qualifications must be obtained from duly accredited institutions to be recognized within the church’s administrative and ministerial structures.

According to Rev. Wengam, the directive forms part of ongoing efforts by the church’s Executive Presbytery to promote ethical leadership and maintain the credibility of theological education within the Assemblies of God.

“Pastors are strongly advised to verify the accreditation status of any institution with GTEC before applying or accepting academic credentials,” the statement emphasized. “Certificates, including doctoral or professional degrees obtained from unaccredited institutions, will not be recognized by the church.”

The leadership further reminded members that unverified degrees not only damage personal credibility but also undermine the church’s commitment to transparency, excellence, and accountability in ministry.

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), in its public notice dated Monday, October 20, 2025, revealed that at least 50 tertiary institutions were operating without the required accreditation. The Commission’s statement, signed by Director-General Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, explained that the listed institutions had failed to meet the necessary academic and quality assurance standards stipulated by Ghanaian law.

GTEC cautioned students, employers, and educational institutions against engaging with the affected schools, stressing that degrees or diplomas from such entities are invalid. The regulator added that periodic monitoring and enforcement exercises will continue to protect students and safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s higher education system.

The Assemblies of God’s warning highlights a broader national concern about the growing number of unaccredited universities, Bible schools, and distance-learning institutions offering questionable academic qualifications. In recent years, several Ghanaians—including public servants and clergy—have been found using fake or unapproved degrees, sparking debates about academic fraud and professional ethics.

Education experts argue that the proliferation of illegal tertiary institutions undermines Ghana’s human resource development goals. It also weakens the credibility of legitimate institutions that comply with accreditation and quality standards.

In the faith community, the issue has become particularly sensitive. Churches often require ministers to hold valid theological or leadership qualifications before ordination or promotion. Unverified degrees, therefore, pose reputational risks to both individuals and their religious organizations.

This latest warning from GTEC is not the first of its kind. The Commission has, over the years, published similar lists exposing unlicensed institutions—many of which operate online or under dubious affiliations with foreign universities.

In 2023, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), launched investigations into fake degree rackets involving both local and international actors. That operation led to the closure of several unregistered schools and the arrest of individuals involved in certificate fraud.

According to education policy analysts, the persistence of unaccredited schools is driven by high demand for quick, affordable degrees and limited awareness of GTEC’s regulatory role.

Assemblies of God’s Commitment to Standards

The Assemblies of God, Ghana, one of the country’s largest Pentecostal denominations with over 600,000 members, has been vocal about upholding integrity in both spiritual and academic pursuits. The church runs several accredited theological institutions, including the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary at South Legon and regional Bible colleges affiliated with recognized universities.

Rev. Wengam reaffirmed the church’s stance that continuous learning is essential for effective ministry but must be pursued through credible, accredited channels. “The pursuit of knowledge must align with truth,” he noted, adding that education without integrity contradicts the values of Christian leadership.

Both GTEC and religious bodies are calling for greater public awareness on accreditation. Students and professionals are encouraged to verify institutions through the official GTEC website or visit regional offices for confirmation before enrolling in any academic program.

In an interview, education policy analyst Dr. Charity Amankwah urged institutions and churches to integrate accreditation checks into their hiring or certification processes. “If employers and faith-based organizations start rejecting fake qualifications consistently, the demand for illegal degrees will decline significantly,” she said.

The Assemblies of God’s advisory serves as a reminder that education and ethics must go hand in hand. As Ghana works to strengthen oversight in its tertiary sector, collaboration between government regulators, faith-based institutions, and the public remains essential.

By rejecting unaccredited degrees, the church not only protects its reputation but also contributes to the national campaign against academic fraud — a problem that continues to challenge both public and private institutions across Africa.

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