The Fight Against Fake Degrees and the Rule of Law: Reflections on The Republic v Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC); Ex Parte: Dr Gabriel Asante-Gyabaah & 22 Others. OAA Consulting Limited (Interested Party). [Suit No.: GR/AD/HC2/C13/49/26 , unreported]

The significance of the question lies partly in the nature of higher-education qualifications. A qualification is not simply a document issued by an institution. It may become embedded in employment, promotion, professional licensing, academic progression and personal reputation. Regulatory action directed formally at an institution or intermediary may therefore have substantial consequences for individuals who were not themselves responsible for the underlying regulatory breach. Once that happens, the question is no longer simply whether a regulator has authority to police academic standards. It becomes whether that authority has been exercised fairly, reasonably and according to law.