NPP’s Paul Yandoh has stirred controversy with his blunt assessment of academic titles.
“I prefer a Master’s degree because the Dr. title comes with nothing,” the politician declared during a youth forum in Kumasi.
Yandoh’s unexpected remarks challenged conventional prestige associated with doctoral qualifications.
“In Ghana’s political space, skills matter more than suffixes,” he argued, sparking immediate reactions across social media.
Education analyst Dr. Abena Asante countered: “Research degrees develop critical thinking crucial for leadership.”
However, entrepreneur Kwame Mensah agreed with Yandoh: “We need more doers than title-holders.”
Yandoh, who holds two Master’s degrees, emphasized competency-based evaluation.
His comments come amid growing discussions about education reform in Ghana.
Recent NSS data shows only 12% of PhD holders secure academic jobs, fueling Yandoh’s argument about limited returns.
Yet Ghana’s universities report rising doctoral enrollments.
The politician later clarified: “I respect scholars but want youth to weigh opportunity costs.”
His stance has unexpectedly resonated with some vocational training advocates.
