Claim: A viral photo shared by social media accounts, including one alleging to belong to former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Central Regional Chairman Bernard Allotey Jacobs, shows NDC’s running mate for the Dec. 7, 2024, elections, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, holding a ballot paper marked with a thumbprint in the number one (NPP) slot.
Verdict: False! DUBAWA’s advanced Google image search reveals that the photo has been digitally altered to serve a particular agenda ahead of the elections. DUBAWA’s further checks confirm that the original photo, uploaded to Jane Naana’s Facebook page, shows the NDC’s number 8 column marked rather than the altered image.
Full Text
A photo began circulating widely on social media after Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang visited artisans at the GNAT Hall in Subin, Kumasi, on Oct. 28, 2024, as part of her tour through the region ahead of the upcoming December elections.
During her address to a diverse group of artisans, including hairdressers, beauticians, tailors, traditional healers, and glaziers, Professor Naana outlined key points from the NDC manifesto.
She discussed the National Apprenticeship Programme, the Women’s Development Bank, and the feasibility of the popular 24-Hour Economy initiative.
Additionally, she demonstrated how to locate the NDC on the ballot to educate attendees about voting correctly on Dec. 7, 2024.
However, another photo has since been circulated online, showing her holding a ballot paper with the NPP’s number one slot marked on it.
This image has appeared on Facebook pages and groups, including Movement TV/Wontumi Radio (Accra) and NPP REAL AND LOYAL MEMBERS ONLY, as well as on the X platform.
An account allegedly belonging to Allotey Jacobs, with the handle @jacobs_allotey, shared the image with the caption “May God be Praised.” By Nov. 2, 2024, the image had gathered over 29,000 views, 53 retweets, and more than 300 likes.
Likewise, a pro-NPP account on X, TESCON-KNUST, with the handle @tescon_knust, also shared the manipulated version on Nov. 1, 2024, with the caption: “Vote number 1 by their running mate. Vote Dr. Bawumia.”
Given its potential to mislead the public, DUBAWA verified the photo’s origin and accuracy.
Verification
DUBAWA conducted a reverse image search using Google, which revealed that the original image did not show a thumbprint in the NPP’s first column.
Instead, the genuine photo was posted on Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang’s Facebook page on Oct. 29, 2024, at 2:24 p.m., displaying the NDC’s number 8 slot as marked.
The post also included images of her alongside Hon. Betty Mould-Iddrisu and NDC officials, including Regional Secretary Dr. Frank Amoakohene, at the GNAT Hall in Subin.
Conclusion
The viral image of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang purportedly endorsing the NPP is doctored. DUBAWA’s investigation confirms that the image was altered to create a false impression to influence public perception ahead of the Dec. 7, 2024, elections.