WATCH: I have to go back to classroom and teach some people sense – NDC’s Tanko-Computer defends his PhD

Dr. Rashid Tanko-Computer, Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Acting CEO of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), has responded to growing public scrutiny over the legitimacy of his academic credentials.

Appearing on JoyPrime’s Prime Morning Show, he dismissed doubts surrounding his PhD qualification and defended his reputation as an experienced lecturer.

“I am a lecturer and I have taught students for a very long time. Matters like this, when you give them attention, I cannot respond to people like that,” he said. “My students have never failed. I don’t give credibility to people like that.”

According to Dr. Tanko-Computer, he obtained his PhD in Public Administration from Kingsnow University, an online institution. He stated that he enrolled in the programme in 2012 and completed it in 2016.

“I think I have to go back to the classroom and teach some people sense in education,” he added.

However, inconsistencies have been noted regarding his claims. A Facebook post dated December 11, 2016, shows him thanking “God and one Professor Alex” for conferring upon him a PhD from Kingsnow University—raising questions about whether the degree was earned through study or awarded as an honorary title.

This controversy follows a broader national discussion on fake academic titles, similar to a recent case involving one Dr. Sansa Daly, who was accused of falsely claiming to be a medical doctor from a prestigious U.S. university.

Online, especially on Facebook, users have been demanding an independent review to confirm the authenticity of Dr. Tanko-Computer’s academic records. One vocal critic, Sir Obama Pokuase, who is known to support the New Patriotic Party (NPP), questioned his qualifications.

In response, Dr. Tanko-Computer lashed out: “So his [Sir Obama Pokuase’s] government was in power for eight years, and at that time, was he sleeping or was he in Jamaica? He didn’t know this, and I worked under them for eight years. I don’t respond to ‘idiots’, that’s why I don’t know him.”

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has recently issued strong warnings about the increasing use of unverified academic titles such as “Doctor” and “Professor.” GTEC has emphasised that only accredited institutions are allowed to grant honorary degrees, and recipients must not present them as earned academic qualifications.

GTEC also pointed out that the misuse of such titles violates the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), and undermines public confidence in the educational system. The Commission has threatened to name, shame, and possibly take legal action against individuals who continue to misuse academic titles.

While Dr. Tanko-Computer insists that his degree is legitimate, questions persist regarding the accreditation status of Kingsnow University, which critics argue is not officially recognised to award academic qualifications.