Tanko Rashid Computer is the Deputy National Elections Director of the NDC
Deputy National Elections Director of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Tanko Rashid Computer, has revealed that his earliest dream was to become a soldier, a passion deeply influenced by the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.
According to myjoyonline.com report on October 25, 2025, Tanko recalled growing up in Bimbila in the Northern Region, where the political dynamism of the 1970s and 1980s shaped his early ambitions.
He said the rise of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and its revolutionary ideals left a powerful impression on him as a young man.
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“Actually, initially I wanted to join the military because of Rawlings. The charisma and discipline of the former Air Force officer turned Head of State made me aspire to military service”, he said.
As a youth, Tanko was involved in the Democratic Youth League of Ghana, one of the PNDC’s grassroots movements.
“We used to call it the Democratic Youth League of Ghana; it was one of the offshoots of the PNDC. So, I was so passionate about Rawlings-ism and then his move,” he stated
However, his childhood dreams never materialised. He explained that his small stature at the time disqualified him from military recruitment.
“I was too smallish at that time, so it’s like I wasn’t qualified,” he recalled with a smile.
Beyond this setback, tragedy struck early in his life with the loss of both parents, forcing him to re-evaluate his path.
“I lost my parents at a very early age. Education became my lifeline. So, I decided that the only way I could survive the trend of life was to make sure that I go through education”, he indicated.
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This determination carried him through schools in Bimbila and Winsy, leading to a career in academia as an IT lecturer.
His journey later took a new direction as he applied his technological expertise to electoral systems, eventually rising to become a key figure in the NDC’s election management team.
Tanko’s story reflects the enduring influence of the Rawlings era, illustrating how the revolutionary spirit of the 1980s continues to shape the convictions and careers of many leaders within the NDC and beyond.
MRA/EB
Scenes at Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’ residence following her passing
