Doloquee
Minister of Education in Liberia, D. Ansu Sonii, has been accused of falsely claiming to hold a Ph.D. degree. Martin Kollie, the lead campaigner for fighting academic crimes in Liberia, wrote an open letter to the minister calling on him to stop interfering with the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) and to stop misleading the public about his academic credentials.
In the letter, Kollie highlights that the minister does not have the authority to suspend the NCHE’s ongoing reform process, as the strategy aims to disallow unaccredited, honorary, and fake academic credentials within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The letter also emphasizes that the minister’s recent action violates the Revised May 2012 National Policy on Higher Education.
Kollie asserts that the minister is overstepping his limits and usurping his function as Minister of Education. He reminds the minister that his role is supervising public and private schools, while the NCHE regulates all higher education institutions.
Furthermore, Kollie accuses the minister of falsely claiming to have a Ph.D. degree. He presents evidence that the minister has claimed to have a Ph.D. on several occasions, including on the official website of the Liberian government and the website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, Kollie alleges that the minister does not hold a Ph.D. and received an honorary degree from Starz College, which he describes as a “computer school” in Liberia.
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Kollie insists that the minister must stop using the title of “Doctor” and that he is hindering the NCHE’s efforts to implement necessary reforms. Kollie ends the letter with a plea to the minister to “hand off NCHE” and to stop interfering with the higher education regulatory body.
The minister has yet to issue a statement in response to the allegations. The accusations have sparked a debate about academic fraud in Liberia and the need for more transparent and accountable systems to regulate higher education. As the country seeks to improve its education system and prepare its youth for the future, it is essential that government officials lead by example and uphold the highest ethical standards.
