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Private Citizen Petitions President Mahama to Dismiss GIFEC CEO Over Alleged Fake PhD

By Emmanuel Nkansah Abankwah On Jun 12, 2025 0

A private citizen, Odeneho Kwaku Takyi, popularly known as Sir Obama, has officially petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to dismiss the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Sofo Tanko Rashid Computer, over alleged academic fraud.

The petition, submitted to the Jubilee House on Thursday, June 12, 2025, and signed by Asantewaa Asante—a known sympathiser of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP)—accuses Mr. Tanko-Computer of holding a fraudulent PhD in Public Administration, allegedly awarded in 2026 by Kingsnow University, an institution the petitioner claims is unaccredited and nonexistent.

“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 the Code of Conduct 2025 for public officials,” the petition reads.

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The petitioner, who has been running a social media campaign questioning the academic legitimacy of Mr. Tanko-Computer, attached what he claims are findings from an investigation into Kingsnow University. According to him, the institution does not exist in the United States or any other part of the world, and is absent from all recognised accreditation databases, including those maintained by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

He further referenced a letter allegedly issued by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) directing Mr. Tanko-Computer to stop using the title “Doctor” after its own review found irregularities in his PhD credentials.

According to the petition, Mr. Tanko-Computer may be guilty of defrauding by false pretence, having allegedly used a fake doctorate to gain or retain his position at GIFEC.

The petitioner is demanding:

The immediate dismissal of the GIFEC CEO.
An official inquiry into how he secured his position using the said credentials.
A wider investigation to determine if other appointees are using fake academic qualifications.
That GTEC be directed to probe his Bachelor’s and postgraduate degrees.
That state security agencies prosecute him if found culpable.
That the President implements strict academic verification protocols for all current and future public appointees.

The petition also calls for the application of Section 5 of the Code of Conduct 2025, which provides sanctions ranging from reprimand to dismissal for violations.

The petition comes on the heels of a Puretvonline interview on June 11, in which Mr. Tanko-Computer strongly defended his credentials and dismissed critics as “idiots” and political detractors.

It also follows GTEC’s recent warnings about the growing misuse of academic titles in Ghana. The Commission has cautioned that only properly accredited institutions can award honorary or academic degrees, and recipients must not misrepresent honorary degrees as earned qualifications.

In a related incident, President Mahama recently revoked the appointment of a board member of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) after it was revealed the individual had presented fake medical credentials.

Sir Obama took to his Facebook page on Thursday to announce his petition, further vowing to hold public officials accountable for any breaches of integrity or constitutional requirements.