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Claim: A viral press release circulating on Facebook claims the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced a six-day nationwide demonstration from July 25 to July 30, 2026, to protest the alleged conviction and 20-year prison sentence of its Ashanti Regional Chairperson, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Verdict: False! DUBAWA found no evidence that the New Patriotic Party issued the purported press statement. The document lacks key authentication features found in genuine NPP communications, including a reference number, publication date, and an official signature. It was also absent from all official NPP communication channels and was not reported by any credible media organisation despite the significance of the alleged announcement.
Full Text
A purported press statement bearing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) letterhead has been circulating on Facebook, claiming the party intends to embark on a six-day nationwide demonstration over the alleged conviction and 20-year prison sentence handed to its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi.
The document, titled “NPP to Hold Six-Day Demonstration Over Conviction of Chairman Wontumi and 20-Year Sentence,” states that the protest would begin on Saturday, July 25, 2026, and end on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
It further calls on party members, supporters, and sympathisers to participate in what it describes as a peaceful nationwide demonstration.
The document was shared by a Facebook account identified as “NPP Official” (GH360) with the caption, “We will resist oppressors’ rule.”
At the time DUBAWA monitored the post, it had generated 54 reactions, 26 comments, and 44 shares, with users expressing mixed reactions.
While some accepted the document as genuine and discussed the proposed demonstration, others immediately questioned its authenticity, calling it fake and demanding evidence that it originated with the NPP.
Because of the potential to mislead the public and heighten political tensions, DUBAWA investigated the authenticity of the purported statement.
Verification
No record on official NPP communication channels
DUBAWA reviewed the New Patriotic Party’s official communication platforms, including its website and verified social media pages.
The purported statement could not be found on any of these platforms.
Ordinarily, an announcement of a nationwide six-day demonstration by the country’s largest opposition party would be prominently published through its official communication channels.
The complete absence of the statement from these platforms raises serious doubts about its authenticity.
No credible media organisation reported the announcement
Given the political significance of a nationwide protest over the alleged conviction of a senior party official, such an announcement would be expected to receive widespread media coverage.
However, DUBAWA found no reports from credible Ghanaian media organisations indicating that the NPP had announced a six-day nationwide demonstration.
The absence of independent reporting further undermines the credibility of the circulating document.
The document lacks key features of authentic NPP statements
DUBAWA observed several inconsistencies in the purported press release.
Unlike genuine NPP statements, the document contains no reference number, making it difficult to trace or authenticate.
It also lacks a publication date, even though official party communications routinely indicate when they are issued.
Furthermore, although the document bears the typed name of Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party’s General Secretary, it lacks his handwritten signature, a common feature of official NPP press releases.
These omissions are significant indicators that the document did not originate from the party.
The formatting differs from authentic party communications
Beyond the missing authentication details, the layout and presentation of the document differ from previous verified NPP press statements.
Official releases from the party typically follow a consistent structure, including a reference number, date of issue, authorized signature, and other formatting elements that help establish authenticity.
The viral document lacks several of these standard features.
Conclusion
The purported NPP press statement announcing a six-day nationwide demonstration over the alleged conviction and 20-year prison sentence of Chairman Wontumi is false.
