Hassan Ayariga — Who is he?

Basic Background

Hassan Ayariga is a Ghanaian politician, accountant by training, and currently the leader of All People’s Congress (APC).  He was born on 4 September 1972 in Bawku, Upper East Region, Ghana.  He comes from a politically active family: his father Frank Abdulai Ayariga served as a Member of Parliament for Bawku in the Third Republic. 

🏛 Political Career & Roles

Ayariga founded the APC after breaking away from his previous political affiliation.  He has stood for presidential elections under the APC, although in past elections he has not been successful.  His public positions often involve criticism of the current government. For instance, in late 2024 he sharply criticized the then-ruling administration as “corrupt and indisciplined,” arguing that Ghana had a “banana economy” and insufficient long-term planning.  He has proposed economic policies such as a “24-hour economy” (three-shift working cycle to boost productivity and reduce unemployment), which he claims is anchored in APC’s manifesto. 

🎓 Academic Credentials Controversy

As of July 2025, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) ordered Ayariga to stop using the title “Dr.” because he failed to provide verifiable proof of having earned a doctorate from an accredited institution.  GTEC requested details like the awarding institution, conferment date, and documentation of the PhD — information which Ayariga has not supplied.  Ayariga responded by defending his use of the title, claiming he holds three doctorates (two honorary, one earned) but threatened legal action against GTEC, calling their directive defamation and arguing they failed to engage him directly. 

🗣 Recent Public Stances & Campaigns

In July 2025, Ayariga condemned what he described as an attempt by a foreign national to establish a “kingdom” on over 50 acres of land in Ghana — calling the move a threat to Ghana’s sovereignty and demanding immediate government action.  He continues to position himself and his party (APC) as advocates for sweeping reform — promoting grassroots engagement, economic restructuring, and national sovereignty as core parts of his political platform.