A scandal has erupted in Ghana over accusations that a high-ranking NDC official, Dr Rashid Tanko-Computer, may have obtained a fake PhD degree. Dr Tanko-Computer holds key roles as the CEO of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) and Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the ruling National Democratic Congress.
The controversy stems from his claim to have earned a PhD in Public Administration from Kingsnow University in the United States in 2016. However, doubts have surfaced regarding the legitimacy of this qualification. A concerned citizen, Odeneho Kwaku Takyi, also known as Sir Obama, has filed a petition urging President John Dramani Mahama to remove Tanko-Computer from his GIFEC position.
The petition alleges that Tanko-Computer’s PhD is fraudulent as Kingsnow University is not recognized as an accredited institution in the US. It further accuses him of breaching the 1992 Constitution and the Code of Conduct for public officials. The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has reportedly cautioned Tanko-Computer to cease using the ‘Dr’ title due to concerns about his PhD credentials.
In response to these allegations, Tanko-Computer defended his qualifications on a talk show, asserting that he obtained his PhD from Kingsnow University through an online program. However, an investigation into Kingsnow University revealed that the institution’s website was inactive at the time, casting doubt on its accreditation status.
Moreover, the university’s recent statement disavowing the conferral of PhD degrees raises suspicions about the validity of Tanko-Computer’s qualification. The timing of this disclaimer, coinciding with the controversy, suggests a deliberate attempt to discredit Tanko-Computer or provide an escape route for him.
The evidence indicates that Tanko-Computer’s PhD credentials are questionable, possibly stemming from an online academic scam. This raises concerns about the due diligence conducted by him in verifying his qualification. The unfolding scandal underscores the importance of verifying academic credentials and upholding ethical standards in public office.
