GTEC writes to Tanko-Computer about 'unearned' PhD, orders him to cease using ‘Doctor’ title

A source at the office of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC), where Sofo Rashid Tanko-Computer works as the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has confirmed to Graphic Online that they have received a letter from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) directing Sofo Rashid Tanko-Computer to henceforth "cease" using the doctor title.

According to the source, the GTEC letter dated June 3, 2025, indicated that the said PhD Tanko-Computer claims to have earned in 2016 from the Kingsnow University was "unearned."

GTEC has therefore requested that he cease using the title “Doctor” and remove it from all official documents and platforms.

Additionally, GTEC has asked Tanko-Computer to submit verifiable evidence that the title has been removed from all relevant platforms, including but not limited to official documents, institutional profiles, websites, letterheads, and any other public or professional representations.

The commission's letter indicated that it was expecting his full cooperation in the matter and was looking forward to receiving confirmation of compliance at his earliest convenience.

Already, GTEC in a May 30, 2025 notice issued a warning about the recent and increased misuse of titles such as “Doctor” and “Professor” by individuals without recognised qualifications.

The Commission reiterated its earlier caution against the use of especially honorary academic titles, particularly emphasising the need for public compliance.

The directive, GTEC stated, was especially aimed at politicians, business people, and other public figures who often incorporate honorary titles into their official communications and public engagements.

The Commission described the practice as deceitful and unethical, stressing that it undermines the credibility of the higher education system and devalues the significance of earned doctoral degrees and academic promotions.

GTEC further announced that it will begin naming and shaming individuals who flout the directive and will pursue legal action against repeat offenders.

The Commission urged all stakeholders to support efforts to preserve the integrity and standards of Ghana's tertiary education landscape.

According to GTEC, such misuse contravenes the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023) and damages public confidence in the country's educational system.

The commission stressed that only accredited institutions are permitted to award honorary degrees, and recipients should not present them as academic qualifications.

Letter to Tanko-Computer
In the Tanko-Computer issue, Tanko-Computer himself has clarified on a number of occasions on social media interviews that it was not an honorary PhD and that it was conferred on him by the Kingsnow University.

In two separate media interviews recently, he dismissed calls by critics and said he did not need to prove anything to anybody.

He reiterated his links to the said Kingsnow University where he said he had obtained a PhD and that he was conferred with the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration.

When he appeared on Joy Prime's morning show today [June 11] he described those questioning his credentials as “foolish” and undeserving of his time

He was responding to comments made on social media that challenged the legitimacy of his academic qualifications in the television interview.

Tanko Computer, a public administrator and the deputy director of elections of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), dismissed the claims against him. “I don't respond to such claims because I don't engage with foolish people,” he said.

He explained that he obtained his doctorate in Public Administration through an online programme at Kingsnow University, which he began in 2012 and completed in 2016.

“My PhD from Kinsnow University is legitimate, and I'm proud of it,” he stated. He urged Ghanaians to judge his qualifications based on their merit, rather than what he described as unfounded accusations.

Mr Tanko holds two MSc degrees, in Criminal Justice and Public Administration, from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Education, Winneba.

He said that giving attention to his detractors only fuels unnecessary controversy. “In Ghana, we must call a spade a spade, not a long spoon,” he said, adding that his priorities remain with his work and students, not online critics.

His appointment as acting CEO of GIFEC by President John Dramani Mahama on February 14, 2025, has drawn both support and scrutiny.

But from what Graphic Online has gathered from the GIFEC source is that, the GTEC letter dated June 3, 2025, which was addressed to Tanko-Computer indicated the commission's observance of Tanko-Computer's continued use of the academic title “Doctor,” specifically in reference to himself as "Dr Sofo Rashind Tanko-Computer."

It indicated that for the avoidance of doubt, the Commission was expressing its serious concern regarding the use of the unearned academic titles, whether conferred by institutions within Ghana or abroad.

The letter said such titles – particularly where they lack formal academic validation – can be misleading and is inconsistent with the established academic protocols governing the conferment and use of academic distinctions in Ghana.

In view of the above, "you are by this letter requested to cease the use of the title “Doctor.”

"Additionally, you are required to submit verifiable evidence that the title has been removed from all relevant platforms, including but not limited to official documents, institutional profiles, websites, letterheads, and any other public or professional representations," the letter indicated.

"The Commission expects your full cooperation in this matter and looks forward to receiving confirmation of compliance at your earliest convenience," it added.

Tanko-Computer first announced his links to Kingsnow University on December 11, 2016 on Facebook where he said he had obtained a PhD from that university.

He wrote:
Comrades, today I have mixed feelings:

1. "We just lost a crucial elections which has taken a toll on me. Still figuring out what really went wrong.. Emotionally disturbed.

2. "Kingsnow University has conferred on Tanko Rashid the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration and all the rights and privileges thereunto appertaining. In witness therefore, this degree duly signed has been issued and the Seal of the University affixed. Presented on the first day of September, two thousand and sixteen.

   Alhamdulilah, Allah is great."
   I thank my family and Prof Alex for the support that got me this far. It shall be well with us. Shehamforash!

Kingsnow University and the online information about the university online

The Kingsnow University referred to by Sofo Rashid Tanko-Computer which he said offered the PhD programme through online, has a web presence as a blog on wordpress.com as Kingsnowuniversity.wordpress.com , a domain which gained web presence just recently when discussions about the credibility of that university deepened.

This is how the one page blog as of Wednesday June 11, 2025 describes the university:

The Kingsnow University online degree program is designed to provide its students with opportunities to improve their learning style. The university has marked its position as one of the most prestigious universities that offer accredited online degrees and certifications. It has a revised and updated curriculum that suits the needs of all its students. Not only has it earned a strong reputation among others in the field, but also have excelled in providing ease and convenience for those who seek it. It has diversified range of disciplines and subjects that covers almost all the professional fields and markets.

The fundamental mission of Kingsnow University is to accumulate the subject of interest, and provide its students with degrees that would help them achieve their respective professional goals. It builds an extensive and intensive framework of networking that allows its students to interact and engage themselves in different activities and practices. Such activities boost their level of confidence as well the knowledge about related subjects. The network also includes interactive conversations of enrolled students with experienced professionals, who are available to guide them at every hour on the clock.

The university is known to have set high standards of education in order to maintain international competitiveness. The primary focus of Kingsnow University is to provide academic excellence to its students without having them face any hassle. It facilitates them with online courses that they can access anytime they feel like and get themselves educated about the subjects they are interested in. It strongly believes in the power of technology and the industrial revolution in terms of e-learning, academics and educational institutes. The university has fully integrated the technology into their core learning experience.

Each student of Kingsnow University has access to the vast database maintained by the professionals, where they can find relevant academic literature and evident resources to support their research. In addition to this, Kingsnow University accumulates all mediums of technology in order to provide a learning experience that none could compete with. It is spread across different forms of technology including websites, mobile app, electronic database and 24/7 functional online portal for consultancy. The university also encourages its student to implement the theories their study into practical situations, and raise queries if they face any difficulties. The purpose of such activity is to make them comfortable with different situations that may rise in any working environment.

His background includes roles such as Deputy National Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Northern Regional Director of the Youth Employment Agency, and lecturer at Tamale Technical University and Tamale College of Education.

-Graphic Online