A fresh storm is brewing in Ghana’s public service landscape as Odeneho Kwaku Takyi, a Ghanaian citizen and governance advocate, has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama for the immediate dismissal and criminal prosecution of Dr. Sofo Rashid Tanko, popularly known as Dr. Tanko Computer, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC).
The petition, dated June 11, 2025, accuses Dr. Tanko of academic fraud, alleging that his PhD in Public Administration—claimed to have been awarded in 2016 by “Kingsnow University” in the United States—is fake and obtained from a non-accredited and fraudulent institution.
The petition, addressed directly to the President and copied to key government officials and diplomatic missions, outlines serious violations of Ghana’s 2025 Code of Conduct for Public Officials and applicable sections of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
It calls for Tanko’s immediate removal, investigation of his full academic history, and prosecution for presenting fraudulent credentials to secure a sensitive public appointment.
The petitioner warns that failure to act decisively would erode public trust in governance and normalize academic fraud at the highest levels of government.
11 JUNE, 2025
YOUR EXCELLENCY
JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
JUBILEE HOUSE
ACCRA
PETITION FOR THE REMOVAL AND PROSECUTION OF “DR” c AS CEO OF GHANA INVESTMENT FUND FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS (GIFEC) OVER ACADEMIC FRAUD
Your Excellency,
I, Odeneho Kwaku Takyi, a citizen of Ghana, and an advocate for good governance and social equity, respectfully write to you with profound concern and a solemn appeal for justice and accountability within our public service and governance architecture. My petition addresses the deeply troubling revelation that one of your appointees, Sofo Tanko Rashid Computer (alias Dr. Tanko Computer), the current Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), holds a fraudulent PhD in Public Administration, purportedly obtained in 2016 from an unaccredited “Kingsnow University (https://kingsnowuniversity.com/)” in the United States of America.
This grave situation does not only represent a significant breach of public trust and a scandalous act of academic fraud, but also directly contravenes the fundamental principles enshrined in the 1992 Constitution and Code of Conduct 2025 for public officials (promulgated by your very good self) and various laws of the Republic of Ghana.
Detailed Findings on “Kingsnow University”:
Several weeks of comprehensive investigation into “Kingsnow University” has yielded no credible evidence of its legitimacy as an accredited academic institution neither in the USA or any other part of the globe. More intriguing is the fact that, despite its self-promotional website (https://kingsnowuniversity.com/) and (https://www.google.com/search?q=kingsnowuniversity.wordpress.com ) claiming to be a “prestigious provider of accredited online degrees,” and short courses, the following critical facts demonstrate its fraudulent nature:
- Absence from Official Accreditation Listings: “Kingsnow University” is conspicuously absent from all authoritative databases of recognized and accredited universities in the United States, including those maintained by the US Department of Education (USDOE) (ed.gov ) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) (www.chea.org ). For the avoidance of doubt, both bodies maintain “positive lists” of accredited institutions, and “Kingsnow University” is not found in association with any recognized accrediting body.
- Characteristics of a Diploma Mill: The institution’s online presence, with its vague claims of “flexibility,” “wide range of disciplines,” and emphasis on “technology-driven education,” mirrors the modus operandi of known diploma mills—entities that sell degrees with little to no academic rigor.
- Lack of Mainstream Recognition: There are no mainstream news articles, academic references, or listings in reputable global university rankings or directories that acknowledge “Kingsnow University.” This consistent absence is a hallmark of fraudulent academic providers.
- No Existence in World Records: My checks, including searches on recognized degree-awarding body databases such as the UK’s Hedd.ac.uk and the International Association of Universities’ World Higher Education Database (WHED) (whed.net ), confirm that “Kingsnow University” does not exist in any world records as a legitimate academic institution.
Based on these findings, it is unequivocally clear that any degree, particularly a PhD, obtained from “Kingsnow University” is not academically credible or legitimately recognized by mainstream academic and professional standards. The fundamental value of a doctoral degree is intrinsically linked to the recognized accreditation of the issuing institution, without which the credential is null and void.
You may have also become aware of the June 3, 2025 letter from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GITEC) to Tanko Computer directing him to cease the immediate use of the Doctor title – after discovering the opaqueness of his [Tanko’s] PhD credentials.
Violations of the Code of Conduct 2025:
Sofo Tanko Rashid Computer’s presentation of a fake PhD constitutes a direct and egregious violation of the Code of Conduct 2025 for Ministerial and Public Appointees. Specifically, his actions breach:
- 1 Ministerial Conduct (page 11): This section requires ministers and all political appointees to act honestly and ensure their actions can withstand the closest public scrutiny. Misrepresenting academic credentials fundamentally undermines honesty and integrity.
- 2 Statement of Ethics (page 12): This section explicitly mandates appointees to act honestly, uphold truthfulness and transparency, and perform duties in a manner that preserves public confidence and trust in the integrity, objectivity, and impartiality of government. A fake PhD directly violates these ethical obligations.
- 5.11 Discipline, Diligence & Professionalism (page 27): This section requires appointees to act with diligence and integrity and to refrain from deliberately misleading the public on any significant matter related to their official functions. Presenting a falsified academic qualification is a clear act of deliberate misinformation and a severe breach of integrity.
Applicable Ghanaian Laws and Potential Criminal Offenses:
Beyond the Code of Conduct, Sofo Tanko Rashid Computer actions fall under serious criminal offenses under Ghanaian law, subjecting him to legal prosecution. The relevant laws and sections include:
- Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29):
- Section 131: Defrauding by false pretence. Presenting a fake PhD to secure or maintain a high-ranking government position like CEO of GIFEC is a clear act of defrauding by false pretence, as it involves obtaining a benefit (the appointment) through false representation.
- Sections 158 and 159: Forgery. Rashid Computer created or used a forged PhD certificate; of which this section concerning the forgery of official or other documents with intent to defraud would apply.
- Section 166: Possessing forged documents. He possesses and presented a document he knew to be forged, with intent to defraud, and as such this section is applicable for his removal.
- Section 20: Abetment of a criminal offence. Any individuals who assisted him in obtaining or using the fake PhD could be liable for abetment.
- Public Service Regulations and Codes of Conduct: As a public appointee, Rashid Computer is also subject to internal disciplinary actions under the broader Code of Conduct for Public Officers (enshrined in Chapter 24 of the 1992 Constitution) and specific regulations governing the public service. Misrepresentation of academic qualifications constitutes a serious breach, warranting disciplinary action, including dismissal.
Call to Action:
Your Excellency, the integrity of our public service and the confidence of the Ghanaian populace in government institutions are at stake. Allowing an individual to hold a critical public office such as the CEO of GIFEC based on fraudulent academic credentials sets a dangerous precedent and erodes public trust.
I, therefore, respectfully but firmly petition your esteemed office to:
- Immediately DISMISS from office Sofo Tanko Rashid Computer as CEO of GIFEC
- Initiate a thorough and transparent investigation into how this fraudulent qualification was accepted and whether any other public appointees under his supervision or within GIFEC may also hold unverified or fake credentials.
- Direct the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to conduct investigations into his Bachelor’s and Postgraduate Degrees
- Direct the appropriate law enforcement agencies, including the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney General’s Department, to commence immediate criminal prosecution against Sofo Tanko Rashid Computer under the relevant sections of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and any other applicable laws.
- Implement stringent verification processes for all current and future public appointees’ academic qualifications to prevent such occurrences in the future and to safeguard the integrity of public office.
- Apply the full force of Section Six of the Code of Conduct 2025, which outlines measures against violations, ranging from formal reprimand to termination of appointment. Given the severity of this academic fraud and false representation, termination and subsequent prosecution are the appropriate courses of action.
It is my fervent belief that a swift and decisive action by the presidency in this matter will send a clear message that integrity, honesty, and accountability are paramount in Ghana’s public service. Conversely, failure to address this issue with the urgency and seriousness it demands would further undermine public confidence and tacitly condone academic fraud.
I eagerly await your decisive action to uphold the rule of law and protect the sanctity of our public institutions.
Thank you.
Yours Faithfully,
…………………
Odeneho Kwaku Takyi
Cc:
Her Excellency Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
Vice President of the Republic of Ghana
Hon. Julius Debrah
The Chief of Staff
Office of the President
Prof. Ahmed Jinapor
The Director General
Ghana Tertiary Education Commission
DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor
The Director-General
Criminal Investigations Department
Ghana Police Service
- All Media Houses in Ghana
- The Diplomatic Community in Ghana
- The U.S. Embassy in Ghana
