Fatima Babih, EdD
In a powerful public statement, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has issued a final caution against the misuse of honorary doctorate and professorial titles by individuals in public life.
This move, aimed at safeguarding the integrity of Ghana’s higher education system, specifically warns politicians, business leaders, and religious figures to stop parading as “Dr” or “Professor” without earning such titles through rigorous academic achievement.
This is not just a matter of protocol but of truth, ethics, and the future of higher education across West Africa.
And it is precisely why Sierra Leone must take a hard look at the behavior of its “First Lady” and ask a critical question:
Why does Fatima Jabbie Bio continue to publicly and officially misuse the title “Dr” based on an honorary doctorate, despite being far from ever having done any academic work to earn that distinction?
A Misleading Role Model
Fatima Bio is more than a public figure. As the woman married to the “President” of the country, she is a symbol and a role model for young Sierra Leonean girls who may look up to her for inspiration and guidance.
Yet, by using an honorary doctorate to assume the title “Dr,” Fatima Bio is engaging in a fraudulent act that undermines the very essence of academic achievement. It sends a dangerous message; that it is acceptable to claim credentials without the rigorous work and sacrifice that others must endure to earn them.
The GTEC letter notes that this practice is “deceitful and unethical.” It warns that it dilutes the value of proper doctoral education and the credibility of the higher education system. By referring to herself as “Dr. Fatima Bio,” the First Lady directly contributes to the erosion of academic integrity in Sierra Leone at the top of public life, a situation that should be a cause for concern for all citizens.
Complicity of Professionals
Equally disturbing is the role of journalists, media houses, and professionals in Sierra Leone who continue to refer to Fatima Bio with the “Dr” title, thereby legitimizing and amplifying her sham. This widespread endorsement normalizes the unethical practice of using honorary titles for personal gain and public esteem, whether out of ignorance or deference.
It is time for Sierra Leone’s media, academia, and political class to show the same spine that Ghana has shown, to protect the value of proper education, and to call out this deceptive practice for what it is. Each one of us has a role to play in upholding the integrity of our education system.
Eroding the Future Path
What message does Fatima Bio’s use of “Dr” sends to the young girl in Kono burning the midnight candle to earn her WASSCE? What about the Sierra Leonean doctoral candidate toiling through years of research, writing, and defense? By placing honorary shortcuts above earned merit, Fatima Bio is not just misleading the public; she is actively eroding the road to academic excellence for future generations.
Fatima Bio MUST STOP using the “Dr” title immediately in all her official and public engagements, within and outside the country. Honorary degrees are ceremonial recognitions, not academic achievements.
Fatima Bio’s continued use of the title misrepresents her qualifications and betrays the trust of the young people who look up to her.
Moreover, the Sierra Leonean media must follow suit and correct this practice. Just as GTEC has committed to naming and shaming those who flout ethical standards in Ghana, Sierra Leoneans, and institutions too must uphold the sanctity of truth in education.
Let us become a society where titles are earned through hard work, not handed out to politicians and their wives as ornaments of vanity.
MAMA SALONE ~ Lioness of the West Coast 