Ghana

Claim: Social media users have shared a video of  Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO), the running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), urging voters to support John Mahama. However,  in another video of him from the same event, NAPO is heard calling for support for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia instead.

Verdict: True.The claim that Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) urged voters to support “John Mahama” in a viral video is accurate. While Dr Opoku Prempeh did initially mention “Mahama” by mistake, a review of the original JoyNews video confirms that this was a slip of the tongue. He quickly corrected himself, clarifying that he meant “Mahamudu Bawumia.” However, the second video, which claims to show NAPO saying “Bawumia nie” without the prior error, has been manipulated.

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Two videos about the running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, known as NAPO, are circulating on social media. One video shows him urging voters to support Mahama, while the other depicts him calling on voters to support Bawumia.

A similar situation occurred during the lead-up to the 2020 elections when President Akufo-Addo mistakenly mentioned Okoe Vanderpuije of the NDC instead of Okoe Bannerman of the NPP.

The video of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) urging voters to support “Mahama” has been widely circulated by members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), including their National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, who shared it on his X account. While this could pose a significant challenge to the NPP, another video version, in which NAPO mentions “Bawumia,” has also gained attention.

So, which version is authentic? DUBAWA analysed both videos.

Verification

The 12-second clip shows NAPO mentioning “Mahama,” and the 9-second clip shows him mentioning “Bawumia.” To verify their authenticity, DUBAWA transcribed both videos to make a detailed comparison.

First Video: “When you are going to vote, ‘John Mahama nie,’ ‘Lomotey nie.’ ‘Mahama nie.’”

Second Video: “When you are going to vote, ‘Bawumia nie,’ ‘Lomotey nie.’”

Did Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh Say ‘John Mahama’ or ‘Bawumia’?

DUBAWA’s findings confirm that Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh initially mentioned “Mahama” by mistake, not “Bawumia.”

A detailed assessment of the original video, published by JoyNews on YouTube, compared with the viral clip claiming he said “Bawumia nie,” reveals clear discrepancies. The portion where “Bawumia nie” appears in the viral video was spliced into the segment where Dr. Opoku Prempeh mistakenly said “Mahama.” This manipulation and a cutaway shot created a false impression of continuity.

The extended video from JoyNews provides clarity. It shows that Dr Opoku Prempeh did say “Mahama” twice. Recognising his error, he corrected himself and mentioned “Bawumia.” Later, he explicitly clarified that he meant “Mahamudu Bawumia” and not just “Mahama.” This can be found from “00:58 onwards in the video.

Body language in the original clip also supports the claim of an unintended error, as it visibly reflects his realisation of the mistake.

DUBAWA spoke to the Social Media Manager of the Joy News cluster, Kweku Kyei, who confirmed that a reporter was present at the event and captured the video of NAPO saying “Mahama nie.”

Conclusion

The analysis reveals that the video showing Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) urging voters to support “John Mahama” is authentic but reflects a genuine slip of the tongue. He quickly corrected himself and clarified his intended message, emphasising support for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. The second video, which claims he consistently said “Bawumia nie” without error, is manipulated.

Claim: Social media users have shared viral videos that allegedly show the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) mocking voters and promoting violence.

Verdict: False.The audio accompanying the New Patriotic Party (NPP) campaign videos and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are not genuine representations of the parties’ messaging. DUBAWA’s checks revealed that the audios were not affiliated with either political party. Instead, they were traced to videos Ghanaian actor Kwaku Manu created, which were shared on his TikTok account, kwakumanubob.

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Two videos, purportedly from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaign trails, are trending on social media. Both videos feature campaign trucks with the same attached audio, allegedly making fun of voters and promoting violence.

The videos have gained significant attention and have been widely shared. Alfred Ogbamey shared footage featuring an NPP campaign truck on Facebook, while George Kwarteng Adenta published another showing an NDC campaign truck on Facebook. Social media users who viewed the videos have criticised the parties for disrespecting citizens.

With the elections just days away and the potential for these videos to harm the reputation of either party, DUBAWA has decided to investigate the claims.

Verification

DUBAWA first transcribed the audio from Twi to English to understand the context. The transcription reads: “We are still campaigning. To be honest, if you choose to vote for us, it’s your decision. However, if you decide not to, take your ‘stupidity’ away.”

The fact-check aims to determine whether the audio in the videos is genuine and to find its original source.

Our checks revealed that the videos of the two political parties are not linked to the audio attached to them. Further checks confirmed that the audio originates from a popular Ghanaian actor, Kwaku Manu. It can be found on his TikTok account, kwakumanubob. The original version of the video is an extended clip lasting one minute and three seconds.

A similar video has been spotted on jeneral_ntatia‘s TikTok account. In it, he is also seen using the same megaphone and making remarks similar to those made by Kwaku Manu.

Conclusion

DUBAWA’s checks revealed that the audio attached to the NPP and NDC campaign videos does not authentically represent either party’s messaging. Instead, the audio was traced to a video created by popular Ghanaian actor Kwaku Manu, with the original video available on his TikTok account, kwakumanubob.

Claim: Multiple sources claimed Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communication Officer of Ghana’s opposition NDC, has asked the country’s ex-President John Kufuor to “shut up” after he encouraged Ghanaians to vote for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the ruling NPP’s 2024 flagbearer.

Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s investigation showed Sammy Gyamfi did not make the alleged comment. Reacting to the claim on X on Nov. 14, 2024, the private legal practitioner described it as “fake.” Also, Accra-based Class FM, the alleged originator of the claim on the flyer, has disputed it.

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Multiple sources claimed Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communication Officer of Ghana’s opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has asked the country’s ex-President John Kufuor to “shut up” after he encouraged Ghanaians to vote for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s 2024 flagbearer.

Mr Kufuor told Accra-based Asempa FM that Ghana needs a leader who understands technology and how it drives economic growth.

The ex-Ghanaian leader believes the Presidential candidate who towers over the pack in this area is Dr Bawumia, the ruling NPP’s 2024 flagbearer.

“We need somebody like him [Dr Bawumia] who understands modern trends in global affairs, as well as technology and digitalisation. These are the trends in developed countries like America and others,” Mr Kufuor said.

See the news report on the interview here, here, and here.

Less than 24 hours after the interview’s broadcast, Sammy Gyamfi, the opposition NDC National Communication Officer, reportedly called out Mr Kufuor for his comments.

“Shut up in your wheelchair. You will go to jail when Mahama is sworn in,” Mr Gyamfi reportedly told the ex-Ghanaian leader.

The claim was on a flyer with the logo of Accra-based Class FM.

See the flyer here, here, and here.

Reacting to the claim, an X user, Akaglo Wisdom, wrote on Nov. 14, 2024, said,

“Ashantis [residents of Ashanti] must punish John Mahama for this.”

The social media platform said that as of Nov. 15, 2024, the X user’s post had received over 161,945 views, 482 comments, 156 reposts, 1,943 likes, and 39 bookmarks.

Also, reacting to the claim on X (formerly Twitter), Samuel Koku Anyidoho, a suspended NDC member, wrote on Nov. 15, 2024, said,

“Such impetuous abrasive arrogance and disrespect!!! Is this what they want power for??? Father, forgive them for they know not what they are saying.”

The social media data revealed Mr Anyidoho’s post on X had, as of Nov. 15, 2024, received over 216,934 views, 219 reposts, 2,432 likes, 561 comments, and 56 bookmarks.

DUBAWA decided to probe the claim due to its virality in the West African country.

Verification

DUBAWA’s investigation showed Sammy Gyamfi, the opposition NDC’s Communication Officer, did not make the alleged comment.

Commenting on the widely circulated claim on X on Nov. 14, 2024, Mr Gyamfi described it as “fake.”

The private legal practitioner later reacted to Mr Anyidoho’s X post on Nov. 15, 2024, claiming he had not “made any such comment anywhere.”

He replied,

“I didn’t know that you were this naive not [to] know fake news when you see one. Clearly, your bitterness against the NDC and people like me has blinded you to the truth. For your information, I have not made any such comment anywhere. Do your checks and spare yourself this embarrassment. Conveyor of FAKE NEWS. Disgraceful!”

Also, Accra-based Class FM, the alleged originator of the claim on the flyer, has disputed it.

The media outlet told DUBAWA it did not create the fact card that has gone viral on social media in the country.

Similarly, DUBAWA’s Google keyword search revealed that no credible media outlet in Ghana has reported on the claim.

With less than 22 days to the general election in Ghana, the alleged claim would have dominated discussions and headlines in the country if Mr Gyamfi had said it.

However, no such data supports the claim that Mr Gyamfi had asked the country’s second President in the Fourth Republic, Mr Kufuor, to “shut up” and reserve his comments about the nation’s governance to himself.

Conclusion

Sammy Gyamfi, the opposition NDC’s Communication Officer, has not told the country’s ex-president, John Kufuor, to “shut up” after openly endorsing the ruling NPP’s 2024 candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

Claim: A Facebook user, Israel Korku Amudzi, has shared a video claiming that a television station in the United Kingdom discussed John Mahama’s 24-hour economy policy.

Verdict: False. While the discussion mentioned a 24-hour economy, it was not specifically centered on Ghana or John Mahama’s policy. Instead, the focus was on how London, in the United Kingdom, adopted a 24-hour nightlife model eight years ago to boost businesses.

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A Facebook user, Israel Korku Amudzi, has claimed that a TV station in the United Kingdom has discussed John Mahama’s 24-hour economy on its channel. The post’s caption reads, “John Mahama’s 24-hour economy is being discussed in the United Kingdom.” The claim has garnered close to 2,000 shares and over 1,000 views on Facebook.

Below is the short conversation from the clip as published by the user.

Interviewee: Our research indicates that we are getting towards 100,000 in the next few years, and if the 24-hour economy takes off and if you look at the indirect jobs it will create, you can get up to 1.2 million.

Interviewer: It is a very big growth in terms of trade figures. In terms of some estimates, it can go up another three to four billion dollars over the next few years, but let’s talk about…

This short clip posted by the user creates the impression that the news was centred on John Mahama’s 24-hour economy. As a result, DUBAWA decided to look into it as the campaign season heats up towards the 2024 general elections. 

Verification

DUBAWA’s verification sought whether the programme addressed John Mahama’s 24-hour economy policy. However, checks using key attributes of the video, including its title, “Insight: The World’s 24-Hour Cities,” revealed this was not the case. Additionally, the footage is not current. It was sourced from TRT World, a news platform, and was originally published eight years ago, on Sept. 13, 2016.

However, DUBAWA also listened to the entire video and discovered that their discussion was not centred on John Mahama’s 24-hour economy. The portion cut and published by the user was from 5 minutes 54 seconds to 6 minutes-26 seconds.

Our investigation revealed that the news item focused on London’s transition to a 24-hour nightlife economy in the United Kingdom. John Mahama’s 24-hour economy policy had not yet been introduced; it only surfaced in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections.

The person featured in the video is Caroline Artis, an advisor to various night-time businesses in London. While she did discuss the potential of the 24-hour economy to create indirect jobs and boost economic growth, her remarks were in the context of London’s nightlife, not Ghana’s policy framework.

Conclusion

The claim that a UK TV station discussed John Mahama’s 24-hour economy is false. DUBAWA’s investigation revealed that the video in question, sourced from TRT World in 2016, focused on London’s 24-hour nightlife economy. It had no connection to John Mahama’s policy, which only emerged ahead of Ghana’s 2024 elections. The video was misrepresented, with the remarks attributed to London’s nightlife economy advisor, Caroline Artis, taken out of context.

Claim: A photo of Ghanaian gospel musician Joe Mettle in a police uniform has been trending on social media, with many accounts and news portals disseminating that he abandoned his job as a police officer to embrace the gospel music ministry.

Verdict: False! Although Joe Mettle confirmed he is the one in the police uniform,  he denied ever being enrolled in the Ghana Police Service after DUBAWA contacted him. Again, what the shoulder cord, also known as the whistle lanyard, on the right side of Joe Mettle’s uniform depicts, is not an official Ghana Police Officer rank uniform.

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One X user, AL Varo X (‘@al_varo777’), has amassed over 300,000 views and over 100 comments after he posted an old photo of Joe Mettle in a police uniform, where he juxtaposed it with a current one of him to motivate his followers.

The photo, captioned “Never Give Up,” urged followers to believe Joe Mettle transitioned as a police officer. It garnered over 500 reposts and attracted diverse reactions on the digital platform. Some were surprised, saying they never knew Joe Mettle was in the police force. Some local news websites also published the story.

On Facebook, a page, ‘Chodarich Ghanamusicweb,’ posted the two photos with the caption, “Joe Mettle was once a policeman. What really happened before he switched?” This statement suggests that Joe Mettle was once enrolled as a policeman for his followers, and it equally garnered some comments.

Another Facebook user, Ghana Nsem Everyday, posted a photo of Joe Mettle in a police uniform with the caption,

“Joe Mettle was once a police officer? This picture of him in the police uniform has been trending.” Shortly after, the page’s admin suggested that “maybe the gospel musician resigned” from the police force before he embraced the music craft.

Meanwhile, when one popular blogger ‘Dr Sneaker Nyame’ with the handle @SneakerNyame_, posted the two photos, asking his followers, “Joe Mettle was once a policeman?” the answers he got suggested many were ill-informed or confused about the photo. One of his verified followers, Juniorjhayy, @jacksonjhayy, told Sneaker Nyame that “Joe Mettle was one of the big police officers in Ghana, while another follower, Kwame Osei Owusu who believed the reply, followed up with a riposte: “Saaa so DSP Kofi Sarpong is not the only Gospel musician and police. Wow.”

Similarly, some blog posts handled by Mercy Mensah and Isaac Appiah on the Ghanaweb digital platform shared similar stories with their followers, confirming that Joe Mettle was a public officer before he switched.

With this information spreading like wildfire, DUBAWA decided to investigate to uncover the truth.

Verification

DUBAWA first called Joe Mettle’s management. Ruth Elinam Yevu, one of his core team members, confirmed they had seen the photo but debunked the assertion that he had been a police officer before.

Joe Mettle also denied it. The ‘Bo No Ni’ hitmaker said that although he was in the photo, it was only for a purpose.

He told DUBAWA: “I have never been in the police force. It was just a character, and it took place a long time ago. I think it was a music video for a peace song back in the day. There were others also dressed in similar regalia.”

Also, DUBAWA’s research revealed that police officers in the country wear their uniform’s cords (whistle lanyard) on the left shoulder.

In Ghana, a whistle lanyard is a cord or strap worn by police officers to hold and secure a whistle. It is typically attached to the shoulder part of the uniform for easy access.

The whistle is a traditional tool police officers use for signalling and communication, especially in situations where verbal commands might not be effective or where police officers need to catch someone’s attention quickly.

Meanwhile, in some police forces, including Ghana’s, the style, colour, or presence of a whistle lanyard can sometimes indicate rank or specific duties.

In these cases, higher-ranking officers may have distinct lanyards or cords as part of their uniform that set them apart from junior officers. This difference can be subtle, like a different braid or colour, and is meant to provide a visual cue to their position within the force.

Conclusion

The claim that gospel musician Joe Mettle was a police officer before entering the music industry is false.

Claim: Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO, asserted that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) uses Muslims for votes and suggested that it would be “haram” (an abomination) for any Muslim living in Dagbon to support the party. His comments have drawn widespread criticism, with many condemning them as divisive and inflammatory.

Verdict: True! DUBAWA’s checks showed that during a campaign tour in Northern Ghana, NAPO asserted that Muslims who live in Dagbon and vote for the NDC would be sinning according to Islamic law. The statements have been confirmed as accurate based on video evidence.

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A recent statement by Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s running mate for the 2024 elections, has sparked widespread discussion across social media.

The controversy centres on claims that Dr Opoku Prempeh accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of harbouring anti-Muslim sentiments and urging Muslim communities not to vote for them.

During his visit to Yaa Naa Bukali Mahama II, Overlord of Dagbon in Yendi in Northern Ghana, NAPO asserted that Muslims who live in the community and vote for the NDC would be committing haram (an abomination).

There has been a raging controversy over whether the vice presidential candidate made such a comment. There are also assertions that the comment was limited to Muslims who live in Dagbon.

Here are some of the comments;

However, comments on social media after NAPO’s speech are quoting “Muslims” who vote for the NDC will be committing haram, instead of “Muslims who live in Dagbon,” like NAPO originally said.

Reacting to NAPO’s speech, an X user, with the handle @KyeiMeshack, commented on Nov. 8, 2024:

“Running mate of the NPP, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO), stated that if you’re a Muslim and you vote for the NDC, it is a haram.”

Additionally, a media outlet on X page, with the handle @UTVGhana, captioned NAPO’s speech, “If You Are A Muslim And You Vote For NDC, It Is Haram” – NAPO.”

Another media outlet on X page, with the handle @YopooNews, quoted the video of NAPO’s visit to the Overlord of Dagbon; “According to NAPO, if you’re a Muslim and you vote for NDC, it’s haram.”

The video being circulated transcribes as, “If you are a Muslim and you live in Dagbon, you are a Dagbon, and you take your thumbprint, and you vote for NDC, it is a haram,” indicating that the message NAPO put across during his visit to the Overlord of Dagbon, was directed to the Muslims living in Dagbon and not all Muslims in Ghana.

Due to the sensitive nature of the comment and the attendant controversy, DUBAWA decided to fact-check the claim.

Verification

DUBAWA analysed recent footage from a campaign rally in Dagbon in the Northern Region on Nov. 8, 2024, and can confirm that Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, also known as NAPO, indeed incited Muslims living in Dagbon not to vote for the opposition NDC.

“If you are a Muslim and you live in Dagbon, you are a Dagbon, and you take your thumbprint and you vote for NDC, it is a haram.”

He called on the Muslim communities to stand with the NPP to transform their lives.

“By this, if you are an Imam and you pray for John Dramani Mahama to become President instead of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, it is a haram. NDC only uses Muslims for votes,” NAPO added.

Here is a breakdown of the statements:

1. Claim of “Haram” for Muslims living in Dagbon not to vote for NDC

During his speech, Dr Opoku Prempeh described it as “haram” for Muslims living in Dagbon to vote for the NDC, positioning his statement within religious terms to appeal to the Muslim electorate.

“So if you are a young person here, and you want a future for yourself, you want people to recognise where you come, and you come from Larabanga, God has already blessed you. You need the right leader. You need the right leader to make Larabanga and Damango what they should become.

“And that leader is nobody but Abu Jinapor and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. It is possible.” Listen from 3:12 to 3:48.

Conclusion

The claim that Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh declared it “haram” for Muslims living in Dagbon to vote for the NDC is true. Footage and records from his rally in the Northern Region substantiate these claims.

Claim: Facebook user Betwi has attracted over 100,000 views after he posted a video of a red Cybertruck on his page, claiming it belonged to popular Ghanaian businessman Osei Kwame Despite.

Verdict: False! DUBAWA’s investigation has confirmed that Osei Kwame Despite’s Cybertruck has not been customised to red, as the viral Facebook video suggests. DUBAWA’s video analysis using the Invid tool and a Google Reverse Image Search revealed that the Cybertruck was customised by the Los Angeles-based company Forgiato in the United States.

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A Facebook page, Ghana Spotlight, with the handle BETWI, posted a video reel to its over 97,000 followers showing what it alleges to be the customised Tesla Cybertruck owned by Ghanaian businessman Osei Kwame Despite.

The video, published on Oct. 30, 2024, has raked in over 100,000 views on the platform. It was captioned: “[Kwame] Despite [has] finally customised his Cybertruck… money dey Ghana oo her ”.

The post has since gone viral, garnering 57 comments and 1,500 likes, with some bookmarks indicating how far it has trended on the Facebook platform.

The Tesla Cybertruck, an electric pickup truck by Tesla, Inc., has been produced since 2023 with a unique low-polygon body design. The news of Despite acquiring a polished silver Cybertruck in Oct. 2024 already stirred significant excitement online, so the viral post about a customised red version intrigued many.

The initial colour of the vehicle making rounds on social media was polished silver, but the post made by BETWI claimed that despite this, it was rather a red Cybertruck with customised red and black 30-inch rims.

Shortly after the claim was made, followers who commented on the page could not tell if the information was accurate. 

A Facebook user, Happy Solo who chanced on the red Cybertruck post, first wrote, “Only in Ghana u can just change car colour without questioning or right procedure.”

Another user, Emmanuel Debrah Appau, who replied to Happy Solo’s comment, wrote:

“Happy Solo! Some of you are “too knowing” dodo. Even in the USA, it’s not every state you’ll have to notify the DMV before you can change your car color. Dabiaa only in Ghana. Ghana is an independent state; it has every right to have its own rules. If you don’t need to inform the police before changing colour, aa wei ɛyɛ asɛm bɛn?

The lack of clarity prompted DUBAWA to investigate BETWI’s claim to determine whether Despite had customised his car to colour red.

Verification

DUBAWA used the Invid verification tool, which showed thumbnails of the red Cybertruck, which is not from Ghana but in the USA. It was being customised by Forgiato, a custom wheel manufacturer based in Los Angeles, California.

The video circulated by BETWI was posted on YouTube three months ago by an account named Built By Bag and has since garnered over 45,000 views as of Nov. 7, 2024.

Again, DUBAWA’s Google Reverse Image Search showed a recent video of Osei Kwame Despite stepping out of his polished silver Cybertruck during an event in Ghana. He walked towards the camera and acknowledged a young man filming him as he walked towards his destination. The colour of the Cybertruck remained the same as it was when it was shipped into the country.

Meanwhile, on Nov. 6, 2024, some Ghanaians were spotted, in a video shared by Sika Official, a blogger, taking photos of the silver Cybertruck parked about 150 metres away from UTV, a media house owned by Osei Kwame Despite. The colour of the Cybertruck remained polished silver, and the car’s owner was Osei Kwame Despite, as reported by Ghanaian media outlet Yen.com.gh.

On Nov. 9, 2024, Dr Osei Kwame Despite was spotted driving his Cybertruck again at the final funeral rites of the late George Kofi Adjei, NPP Nhyiaeso Constituency Chairman, who passed away at the UGMC. The funeral took place at Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The colour remained unchanged.

Many videos of Osei Kwame Despite’s Cybertruck in Ghana can be seen here, here, and here, with none painted red.

Conclusion

The claim that Ghanaian businessman Osei Kwame Despite customised his polished silver Tesla Cybertruck to red, as shown in a viral Facebook video, is false.

Claim: A viral WhatsApp post claimed that Former President John Dramani Mahama is distributing campaign funds of GHS500 to Ghanaians.

Verdict: False! DUBAWA’s findings revealed that the link is phishing. Also, a recent post on John Dramani Mahama’s verified Facebook page highlighted a screenshot describing the circulating message as “Fake!”

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In less than a month, Ghana will head to the polls for the ninth time since 1992 to elect its President and Members of Parliament. Campaigns are getting heated by the day, with some people taking advantage of the season to spread disinformation and fraudulent schemes.

A post circulating on WhatsApp claims that former President John Dramani Mahama is distributing GHS500 in campaign funds to Ghanaians during the Dec. 7, 2024, general elections.

The post is captioned “John Dramani Mahama 500GHS Campaign Funds for Ghanaians,” and instructs potential beneficiaries to click an accompanying link to receive the money. The alleged scheme has been shared widely across multiple WhatsApp groups in Ghana.

A click on the link displays a campaign flyer for John Dramani Mahama with the text, “… John Dramani Mahama is giving out 500 GHS to everyone in Ghana for president of Ghana for the second time.”

The link further directs potential beneficiaries to answer questions, select a “gift box” option, and share the link with five WhatsApp groups or fifteen individual contacts to receive the money.

DUBAWA decided to investigate this claim in its efforts to counter misinformation and disinformation and promote responsible media consumption, particularly in this period of elections in Ghana.

Verification

DUBAWA followed the link and each prompt to verify this claim, selecting the first option at each stage. After four question prompts, the fact-checker was asked to choose a “gift box” from multiple options.

The message “better luck next time” appeared on the first attempt, and the fact-checker was informed that there were “two extra chances” to attempt. On the second attempt, the fact-checker was notified of winning GHS500.

However, receiving the prize was contingent upon sharing the link with 5 WhatsApp groups or 15 individual contacts. This raised suspicion, as this tactic is commonly associated with phishing and scam tactics intended to gather information or spread the link widely.

Further, the researcher thoroughly reviewed all official social media accounts associated with John Mahama and his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC). No reference to a GHS500 campaign fund scheme could be found on Mahama’s verified social media platforms or on official party pages.

Also, a post on John Dramani Mahama’s verified Facebook page (dated Nov. 10, 2024, and screenshotted four hours later) highlighted a screenshot of the circulating message, marked with a “fake” stamp, alongside a caption, “Fake!!” clearly warning the public that the information was fraudulent.

Additionally, prominent individuals connected to Mahama, such as his aide Joyce Bawa Mogtari and other NDC party executives, have not shared any information about this purported fund distribution. The lack of any credible source backing the distribution indicates that the link is likely fraudulent.

Under Ghana’s electoral laws, vote-buying is illegal. Distributing money directly to potential voters under the guise of campaign funds would constitute vote-buying, which is punishable under Section 33 (1) of the Representation of the People Law, 1992 (PNDCL 284).

Consequently, it would be highly improbable for a prominent opposition candidate, John Mahama, who has previously held the high office of President of the Republic of Ghana and is deemed to have a fair grasp of election regulations, to conduct such a scheme openly.

On March 22, 2023, Mahama publicly launched a fundraising initiative to garner voluntary financial contributions from supporters to support his ongoing campaign. Thus, it would be inconsistent for Mahama to run a fundraiser for his campaign while offering monetary incentives.

Conclusion

Based on DUBAWA’s findings, the claim that John Dramani Mahama distributes GHS 500 to Ghanaians through a WhatsApp link is false.

This report was produced under the DUBAWA “Combating Election Misinformation and Disinformation in Ghana’s 2024 Elections” Project aimed at promoting a culture of truth and verification ahead of the 2024 General Elections with support from the Federal Republic of Germany in Ghana.

MFWA, DUBAWA and Ghana Fact establish Ghana Fact-checking Coalition ahead of December elections

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), DUBAWA, FactSpace West Africa and other civil society organisations working on information hygiene, integrity and resilience in Ghana have formed the Ghana Fact-Checking Coalition.

The Coalition has been convened ahead of Ghana’s 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections to mount a joint, collaborative and coordinated effort to mitigate the menacing threat misinformation and disinformation pose to the country’s peace, stability and democratic consolidation. 

The 2024 Global Risk Report identified misinformation and disinformation as the key critical risks anticipated to unfold in numerous countries across the world over the next two years. The report emphasised that the spread of misinformation and disinformation, especially during elections, could significantly disrupt the genuine and perceived legitimacy of newly elected governments, potentially leading to political turmoil, violence, terrorism, and a gradual deterioration of democratic procedures in the long run.

Activities and processes around the 2024 general elections in Ghana have so far generated enormous false and polarising narratives that can influence the peaceful outcomes of the polls.

The Coalition is, therefore, harnessing the capacities, strength and resources of the members while leveraging their credibility to produce timely, relevant and well-researched fact-check reports during the periods of the 2024 elections.

The Ghana Fact-Checking Coalition primarily comprises Ghana’s three main fact-checking organisations that are signatories with the International Fact-checking Network: Fact-Check Ghana (Media Foundation for West Africa), DUBAWA GHANA (Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development) and Ghana Fact (FactSpace West Africa). The Coalition is also working with many prominent civil society organisations including Africa Check, Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Penplusbyte, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and Digital Africa Research Lab.

From December 4-11, 2024, the Ghana Fact-checking Coalition will run Media Situation Rooms in Accra and Tamale dedicated to spotting and debunking misinformation disinformation and other harmful narratives related to the elections that may emerge on both online and offline platforms across the country.

The Coalition is also working with about 50 journalists and over 100 media houses across the country who broadcast or publish in about 45 Ghanaian languages. These journalists and media houses will serve as partners who will republish reports produced by the Media Situation Room and as well verify information about the election activities in their regions and communities.

“We are excited to kick off this coalition after many months of discussions. This is the best time for us to come together and collaborate to push back against mis/disinformation and polarising narratives that portend danger for Ghana’s democracy. We are hoping our collective work can contribute to a peaceful and credible election,” said Kwaku Krobea Asante, Lead Fact-checker and Senior Programme Officer at the MFWA.

“Creating a united front among fact-checkers, the media and civil society groups like this is one of the best ways to counter the threats from disinformation purveyors and people with malign interests who want to use information to disrupt the credibility of Ghana’s election and democracy. We are happy this has come off,” said Rabiu Alhassan, Director of FactSpace West Africa.

“Building from our expertise and insights gained from participating in and observing successful coalitions across West Africa, we are very delighted that we have been able to come together to form this coalition. Our collective goal is to make a meaningful impact on the elections, promoting a peaceful and credible process that fosters a more inclusive democratic process,” said Roselena Ahiable, Programme Manager of DUBAWA West Africa.

The Ghana Fact-Checking Coalition has been convened with funding support from the US Embassy in Ghana and Google News Initiative. UK-based Full Fact has also provided access to its Full Fact AI platform to assist members of the Coalition to monitor and counter disinformation. 

END.

Claim: The NPP presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, at a youth engagement event dubbed “Bawumia speaks on jobs for the youth,” claimed that Ghana’s internet penetration had grown from 34% in 2017 to around 70% in 2023.

Verdict: Misleading! DUBAWA’s investigation shows that DataReportal and Statista reported internet usage in 2017, projected to rise to about 69% in 2023, not 35% in 2017, to 70% in 2023, as the Vice President purported.

Full Text

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia stated at a youth engagement event on Nov. 3, 2024, dubbed “Bawumia speaks on jobs for the youth,” Ghana has experienced significant growth in internet penetration since his government assumed power in 2017.

“When we came into office, internet penetration was 34 per cent. And now we have increased it to 70 per cent as of 2023. So most advanced countries are above just 90 per cent.”

Ghana’s internet landscape has grown significantly over the past several years, influenced by government initiatives, private sector investment, and technological advancements. Dr Bawumia’s claim highlights the perceived progress in internet penetration and plans to achieve nearly universal internet access.

“So the task in the next four years is to move from some 72 per cent to over 90 per cent as exists in advanced countries. And I want to make sure everyone has access to the Internet at affordable prices. It is possible.”

The relevant portion of the video can be found between 1:45:06 and 1:45:50.

DUBAWA has fact-checked the figures the Vice President asserted to ensure that all data presented to Ghanaians during election season is accurate.

Verification

1. Internet Penetration in 2017

The Vice President claimed that Ghana started with an internet penetration rate of 34% in 2017, yet multiple reliable sources contradict this claim. According to DataReportal and Statista, Ghana’s internet penetration rate in January 2017 was 28%. This overstates the starting figure by about six percentage points, creating a misleading impression of the baseline level of connectivity at that time.

2. Internet Penetration Growth to 2023

The presidential candidate’s claim that internet penetration had reached around 70% by 2023 aligns with DataReportal’s 68.2% penetration rate in January 2023. Statista also supports this figure, showing an increase from roughly 68% in early 2023 to 69.8% in January 2024.

This increase highlights significant investment in infrastructure and the expansion of mobile broadband networks.

However, it is worth noting that the penetration was slightly below the 70% mark in 2023, as claimed, though very close.

From 2017 to 2024, penetration increased by over 40 percentage points, suggesting that reaching 90% may be within reach if investment in digital infrastructure remains strong and technological solutions, like satellite internet, are implemented in underserved regions.

However, this will depend on continued infrastructure development and policies that foster affordable and widespread access.

Affordability is a critical issue for expanding internet access, with many Ghanaians still facing high data costs. Reaching 90% penetration will likely need policies to reduce internet costs and enhance rural connectivity, where infrastructure gaps are most pronounced. These factors complicate the candidate’s target, and they are notably absent from the initial claim.

Conclusion

Bawumia’s statement is misleading because of overstated figures for the starting rate in 2017 (28%, not 34%) and the 2023 figure (just under 70%). While internet penetration has grown substantially, the actual numbers differ from those cited.