By: Daniel Bampoe
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has officially directed the acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Sofo Rashid Tanko-Computer —popularly known as Tanko-Computer—to cease using the title “Doctor,” after determining that his claimed PhD is “unearned.”
In a letter dated June 3, 2025, addressed to Mr. Tanko-Computer, GTEC stated that it had reviewed the credentials he attributes to Kingsnow University, an obscure online institution, and concluded that the academic qualification did not meet the standards required under Ghana’s Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023).
The commission noted that the title of “Doctor” had been used in official communications and public engagements in a misleading manner, which it described as both unethical and damaging to public confidence in the education system.
The directive, confirmed by sources within GIFEC, demands that Tanko-Computer provide verifiable proof that he has removed the “Doctor” title from all institutional materials, including websites, letterheads, and social media profiles.
GTEC further expressed its expectation of full cooperation and compliance from Tanko-Computer.
This move forms part of a broader crackdown by GTEC on the misuse of academic titles—particularly honorary and unaccredited qualifications—by public figures, business executives, and politicians.
In a May 30, 2025 notice, GTEC warned of impending legal actions and a “name-and-shame” campaign targeting individuals who falsely parade academic titles.
Background of the Controversy
Sofo Rashid Tanko-Computer announced in December 2016 that he had obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Public Administration from Kingsnow University.
The declaration came via a Facebook post amid the political aftermath of the 2016 elections.
His online post referenced the institution’s conferral of the degree, thanking family and mentors for their support.
However, scrutiny into Kingsnow University intensified recently, revealing that the institution’s primary web presence is a single-page blog hosted on WordPress—kingsnowuniversity.wordpress.com.
The site makes sweeping claims about academic excellence and international accreditation but offers little to no verifiable detail about faculty, accreditation, or institutional operations.
Despite public concerns, Tanko-Computer has remained defiant.
In interviews and social media statements, he has insisted the degree was earned through a legitimate four-year online programme between 2012 and 2016.
He maintains that Kingsnow University provided rigorous coursework and that he does not owe explanations to critics. Appearing on Joy Prime TV on June 11, 2025, he lashed out at his detractors, calling them “foolish” and unworthy of engagement.
“I don’t engage with foolish people,” he said when asked about doubts surrounding his PhD. “My PhD from Kingsnow University is legitimate, and I’m proud of it.”
Institutional Silence
Information gathered that since Tanko-Computer’s appointment by President John Dramani Mahama on February 14, 2025, he has yet to submit complete academic documentation to the HR department at GIFEC.
Sources suggest this delay may be an attempt to evade internal vetting of his academic claims.
Compounding the controversy is Tanko-Computer’s refusal to publicly share his dissertation, list his supervisors, or provide details of published research—standard expectations for holders of earned PhDs.
Critics argue that such opaqueness further casts doubt on the authenticity of his academic qualifications.
GTEC’s War on Fake Titles
GTEC has been vocal in its campaign to cleanse the misuse of academic titles.
The Commission argues that honorary or dubious academic credentials—often used to bolster personal brands—erode the value of legitimate scholarly achievement.
Only accredited institutions in Ghana are legally permitted to confer honorary degrees, and recipients are barred from presenting these as academic qualifications.
GTEC’s campaign has gained momentum amid a wave of social media allegations, prompting the commission to intensify enforcement.
Political Fallout
As a Deputy Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Tanko-Computer’s political visibility has added fuel to the controversy.
Critics within and outside the political landscape are now calling for President Mahama to act decisively, with some urging the immediate revocation of Tanko-Computer’s appointment.
Sir Obama Response
In a scathing public response, political commentator Sir Obama Pokuase accused Tanko-Computer of fraud, academic dishonesty, and gross misconduct, further alleging a history of poor academic performance and failed university enrolments.
He challenged Tanko-Computer to publish his thesis, supervisor names, and research outputs.
“Tanko is a disgrace to intellect, academia, politics, and governance,” Sir Obama wrote. “Now that GTEC has exposed you, it is obvious who the real fraud is.”
As GTEC awaits compliance from Tanko-Computer, all eyes remain on GIFEC and the Office of the President for possible disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, the commission’s efforts to sanitize Ghana’s academic space are expected to intensify in the coming months, with more names likely to be made public in their ongoing investigations.
Mahama Petitioned
A formal petition has been submitted to President Mahama, calling for the immediate dismissal and criminal prosecution of Sofo Tanko Rashid Computer over allegations of academic fraud.
The petition, authored by social equity advocate and governance crusader Odeneho Kwaku Takyi, accuses the GIFEC boss of falsely claiming to hold a PhD in Public Administration from an unaccredited institution known as Kingsnow University.
According to the petition dated June 11, 2025, Rashid Computer has misrepresented himself for years using the “Doctor” title based on a doctoral degree purportedly obtained in 2016.
However, extensive research by Takyi reveals that Kingsnow University, the institution from which Rashid claims to have graduated, does not exist in any legitimate global database of accredited universities.
The university in question operates through a slick online presence and claims to offer flexible, technology-driven degrees, but fails to meet the basic criteria for academic legitimacy.
It is not listed with the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)—two key bodies that regulate academic institutions in the United States.
Further checks through global educational directories, including the UK’s Higher Education Degree Datacheck (HEDD) and the International Association of Universities’ World Higher Education Database (WHED), also yielded no trace of the university’s existence.
