Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Health and a distinguished surgeon, is making headlines following a directive from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).
According to GhanaRegions.com, the Commission has ruled that she does not hold the title of “Professor” in any capacity, cautioning her against using the designation.
This controversy places her among eight prominent public figures being investigated for alleged misuse of academic titles.
Personal Background
- Full Name: Grace Ayensu-Danquah
- Date of Birth: 10 May 1967
- Age: 58 years
- Place of Origin: Essikado, Western Region, Ghana
- Faith: Christian
Education
Secondary Education:
- Holy Child High School (O-Levels, 1984)
- Archbishop Porter Girls’ Secondary School (A-Levels, 1986)
Tertiary & Postgraduate Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of Southern California (1995)
- Doctor of Medicine (MD), University of Wisconsin Madison (2000)
- Master of Public Health (MPH) in International Health Management and Planning with certification in Humanitarian Assistance, Johns Hopkins University (2001)
- Surgical Sub-Specialty Certificate, University of California, San Diego (2008)
Medical Career and Professional Achievements
Medical Practice:
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah is a board-certified general surgeon with fellowships in trauma, burns, and reconstructive surgery. She holds active medical licenses in California, Michigan, and Maryland in the United States.
Academic and Teaching Roles:
She has lectured at the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences and held the role of Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Utah’s Center for Global Surgery.
Fellowships and Professional Memberships:
- Fellow, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons
- Fellow, American College of Surgeons
- Fellow, International College of Surgeons
- Fellow, West African College of Surgeons
Humanitarian Work:
She founded the Healing Hands Organisation, which provides free surgical care, medical outreach, and supplies to underserved communities across Ghana. She also established the Sage Medical Centre in Accra, offering specialized care, including support for kidney patients.
Public Health Contributions:
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah has served as a member of Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority Technical Advisory Committee on the Safety of Vaccines and Biological Products. She also sits on the board of Days for Girls International Ghana, working to improve health outcomes for women and girls.
Political Career
Parliamentary Role:
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah became Member of Parliament for the Essikado-Ketan constituency in January 2025.
Deputy Minister of Health:
In July 2025, she was appointed Deputy Minister of Health by President John Dramani Mahama. In this role, she has been involved in shaping policies to improve Ghana’s healthcare delivery system. She has championed initiatives such as the “Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill” to support chronic disease management.
Philanthropy and Community Work
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah has consistently invested in health interventions for her community, including:
- Free ear screenings for children on World Hearing Day
- Free cataract surgeries and eye screenings for the elderly
- Advocacy for affordable dialysis treatment under Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme.
Latest Developments: GTEC’s Directive on the Use of “Professor” Title
In August 2025, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) issued a directive cautioning Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah against presenting herself as a “Professor.” The Commission clarified that she does not hold the title of “Professor” under Ghana’s academic framework, noting that her official role at the University of Utah was that of Adjunct Assistant Professor, not full Professor.
Her legal team strongly contested the directive, arguing that her appointment as Assistant Professor abroad was valid and fell outside GTEC’s jurisdiction. They further accused GTEC of procedural impropriety and bias, warning of possible legal action if the directive was not reviewed.
This matter has since become part of a broader national discussion on the use of academic titles, with Dr. Ayensu-Danquah named among eight public figures being probed for allegedly using misleading academic designations.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 58 years (born 10 May 1967) |
| Family | Private; faith identified as Christian |
| Education | BSc (Biology), MD, MPH, Surgical Sub-Specialty Certification |
| Medical Career | Board-certified surgeon, humanitarian leader, educator |
| Political Role | MP for Essikado-Ketan, Deputy Minister of Health |
| Philanthropy | Healing Hands Organisation, Sage Medical Centre, community screenings |
| Controversy | GTEC directive against using “Professor” title; legal challenge ongoing |
