Mahama Dismisses Ambulance CEO Over Title Controversy

President John Mahama has terminated Dr. Nuhu Zakaria as CEO of Ghana’s National Ambulance Service following a Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) ruling that he improperly used the title “Professor.”

GTEC’s June 21, 2024, directive stated no accredited university conferred the title, calling it “academic dishonesty” that misleads the public.

Though Mahama’s office gave no explicit reason, the dismissal follows weeks after GTEC’s order. Dr. Zakaria had overseen significant service expansions during his tenure, including new ambulance stations and improved emergency response infrastructure.

Civil society groups welcomed GTEC’s enforcement of academic standards. No replacement has been named.