Ghana

A Communication team member of Ghana’s governing New Patriotic Party, Dr. Ishaq Ibrahim, has appealed to Ghanaians to keep faith with the government despite the economic challenges.

Participating in a political discussion on Accra-based TV3, the lecturer said President Nana Akufo-Addo had outperformed ex-President John Mahama in managing the Ghanaian economy.

“Despite that we had these problems [COVID-19], we still did better than the last administration that John Mahama led. John Mahama left when he had taken us to the IMF. The inflation rate was about 14%, and when we came to power, the NPP immediately brought it down to 7%. It was 7% before COVID-19 hit us, so you check it,” the private legal practitioner said.

For Dr Ibrahim’s comment, see minutes 0:49 to 1:30 of the video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Accra-based TV 3.

DUBAWA has fact-checked the law lecturer’s claims about Mr Mahama, COVID-19, and the Ghanaian inflation rate.

Claim 1: Dr. Ishaq Ibrahim, a member of Ghana’s governing NPP communication team, has alleged that ex-President John Mahama handed over when the country’s inflation was about 14%.

Verdict: False! DUBAWA’s investigation showed that Ghana’s inflation on Dec. 31, 2016, days after Mr Mahama had lost his re-election bid, was not “about 14%,” as Dr Ibrahim claimed. The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS)’s Statistical Bulletin, released on Jan. 11, 2017, revealed the country’s inflation in Dec. 2016 was 15.4%, down by 0.1% from 15.5% recorded in Nov. 2016.  Also, World Bank data pegged the country’s inflation as of Dec. 31, 2016, at 17.5%.

Verification

DUBAWA’s research revealed that Ghana’s inflation as of Dec. 31, 2016, days after Mr Mahama had lost his re-election bid, was not “about 14%,” as Dr Ibrahim claimed.

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS)’s Statistical Bulletin, released on Jan. 11, 2017, showed the country’s inflation in Dec. 2016 was 15.4%, down by 0.1% from 15.5% recorded in Nov. 2016. 

The GSS explained, “This rate of inflation for December 2016 is the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the twelve months, from December 2015 to December 2016.”

Also, World Bank data published on its website pegged the West African country’s inflation at 17.5% as of Dec. 31, 2016. 

The global body has disclosed it computed Ghana’s inflation data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Financial Statistics, and other data files.

Conclusion

As of Jan. 7, 2017, when ex-President John Mahama handed over to President Nana Akufo-Addo, Ghana’s inflation was not “about 14%,” as Dr Ishaq Ibrahim claimed. The GSS revealed the country’s inflation was 15.4%.

Claim 2: Dr Ishaq Ibrahim, also alleged that President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government “immediately” brought down the country’s inflation to 7% when it took office.

Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s checks with the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) showed that President Nana Akufo-Addo did not “immediately” bring down the country’s inflation to 7%, as Dr Ishaq Ibrahim alleged.  The GSS revealed that Ghana’s inflation was 11.8% as of Dec. 31, 2017, 9.4% as of Dec. 31, 2018, and 7.9% as of Dec. 2019. Also, World Bank data disclosed the country’s inflation was 12.4% as of Dec. 2017, 7.8% as of Dec. 2018, and 7.1% as of Dec. 2019.

Verification

DUBAWA’s investigation disclosed that President Nana Akufo-Addo did not “immediately” bring down the country’s inflation to 7%, as Dr Ishaq Ibrahim alleged. 

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) revealed that Ghana’s inflation was 11.8% as of Dec. 31, 2017, 9.4% as of Dec. 31, 2018, and 7.9% as of Dec. 2019.

Although the West African country recorded single-digit inflation in 2018 and 2019, no data points to a 7% inflation in Ghana “immediately” after President Nana Akufo-Addo took office.

Also, World Bank data disclosed that the country’s inflation was 12.4% as of Dec. 2017, 7.8% as of Dec. 2018, and 7.1% as of Dec. 2019.

The World Bank data culled from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the International Financial Statistics, and other data files showed Ghana recorded single-digit inflation in 2018 and 2019.

Conclusion

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed that President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government did not “immediately” bring down the country’s inflation to 7%, as Dr Ishaq Ibrahim alleged.

Claim 3: A communication team member of Ghana’s governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) claims Ghana’s inflation was 7% when it recorded its first COVID-19 case.

Verdict: False. The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) data revealed Ghana’s inflation rate was 7.8% at the end of February 2020. The West African country recorded its first COVID-19 case on March 12, 2020, barely three months into the new year. Therefore, the country’s latest inflation rate was the data the GSS published on Mar. 11, 2020, which disclosed a 7.8% inflation rate.

Verification

DUBAWA’s investigations showed Ghana’s inflation rate was not 7% when it recorded its first COVID-19 case, as Dr Ishaq Ibrahim claimed. The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) data revealed the country’s inflation rate was 7.8% at the end of Feb. 2020.

The West African country recorded its first COVID-19 case on March 12, 2020, barely three months into the new year.

See the country’s Ministry of Health press release confirming the first two COVID-19 cases recorded here.

Therefore, Ghana’s latest inflation rate when it detected its first virus cases was 7.8%, as disclosed in the GSS data published on Mar. 11, 2020.

Conclusion

Ghana’s inflation was not 7% when it recorded its first COVID-19 cases, as Dr Ishaq Ibrahim alleged. The GSS data revealed the country’s inflation was 7.8% at the end of Feb. 2020 in a report published on Mar. 11, 2020, barely a day after its first virus cases were detected.

Claim: A Facebook user shared a flyer that claimed Ghana’s Deputy Education Minister, Dr John Ntim Fordjour, said no one can become rich as a “mere teacher.”

Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s investigations showed that Ghana’s Deputy Education Minister, Dr Ntim Fordjour, did not make the alleged claim. Reacting to the flyer, Ghana’s Ministry of Education described it as a “malicious and palpably false news card.” Also, Accra-based Citi FM, the flyer’s alleged originator, has denounced its content. DUBAWA later checked with the Facebook user and noticed he had deleted his post.

Full Text

A Facebook user shared a flyer that claimed Ghana’s Deputy Education Minister, Rev. Dr John Ntim Fordjour, had said one cannot be rich by being a “mere teacher.”

“Teachers do not need to own houses or cars and any luxuries; all they need are basic necessities like food and clothing. You cannot become rich by being a mere teacher,” the Deputy Education Minister said.

The social media user posted the flyer with this message:

“When you go to church today intercede for the man who spoke these words. I implore especially teachers to pray hardest. Your reward, as you have always been told, is in heaven. Pray without ceasing.”

The flyer featured the logo of Accra-based media outlet Citi FM.

DUBAWA’s Google Reverse Image Search showed that the flyer was widely shared on social media. See here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

An X user, Mr Mawusi, who equally shared the flyer on Oct. 26, 2024, wrote: “Vote wisely.”

Another X user, Kojo Joey, wrote on Oct. 27, 2024, “School be scam.”

DUBAWA decided to probe the claim due to its virality on social media in West Africa.

Verification

DUBAWA’s investigations showed that Ghana’s Deputy Education Minister, Dr Ntim Fordjour, did not make the alleged claim. 

DUBAWA checked with the Facebook user and noticed he had deleted his post from his wall.

Ghana’s Ministry of Education responded to the flyer in a press release, describing it as a “malicious and palpably false news card.”

“It is obvious the originators were actuated by malice in their bid to court public disaffection for the affable Deputy Minister for Education, whose record of public statements have always been courteous, kind, and made with absolute circumspection,” the statement Dr Fordjour sent to DUBAWA when contacted read.

Reacting to the claim, Accra-based Citi FM, the flyer’s alleged originator, has also denounced its content.

In a public disclaimer on X shared on Oct. 26, 2024, the media outlet wrote, “Fake! Please disregard this news card – it is not from us.”

The results of DUBAWA’s Google Keyword Search disclosed no reputable media organisation in Ghana has reported on the alleged claim.

Conclusion

The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr John Ntim Fordjour, did not say that no one can become rich as a “mere teacher.”

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.

Claim: Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, during the launch of the Ghana Music Xperience (GMX) streaming platform at De Icon Centre on Oct 30, 2024, in Accra, said Spotify’s market value or cap is $80 billion.

Verdict: False! DUBAWA’s research shows that Google Finance, including many international stock exchange websites, like Yahoo Finance and The Wall Street Journal, reported Spotify’s market value or cap to be less than $80 billion as of the close of Oct. 31, 2024.

Full Text

During the launch of the recently-held Ghana Music Xperience (GMX) streaming platform on Oct. 30, 2024, in Accra, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia stressed the significance of technological advances in the country.

His statement emphasised the need for a universal music app only for the Ghanaian community. He further claimed that Spotify’s market cap or value is $80 billion.

“Spotify is a music streaming app, but the value of Spotify today is $80 billion. Right, that’s $80 billion. The total value of the Ghanaian economy is $75 billion. So, Spotify alone, as one app, is worth more than Ghana’s total GDP. That is just one app, and it just tells you the power of apps in the economy or the global economy of today,” he said.

Meanwhile, it is worth noting that Spotify is a Swedish audio streaming and media service provider founded on April 23, 2006, by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon.

As of June 2024, it is one of the largest providers of music streaming services, with over 626 million monthly active users comprising 246 million paying subscribers.

DUBAWA decided to investigate the facts concerning Spotify’s market value on the international stock market.

Verification

As of the close of Oct. 31, 2024, Google Finance, a platform designed to help users analyse and compare stocks and markets, listed Spotify’s market cap as $77.33 billion against Dr Bawumia’s $80 billion claim.

Also, Yahoo Finance, a rich resource of financial market data and tools to find compelling investments, listed the market value of music streaming Spotify as 77.331 billion as of the close of Oct. 31, 2024, unlike Dr Bawumia’s claim that it is $80 billion.

Similarly, The Wall Street Journal, a newspaper and news agency based in New York, founded by Charles Dow, Edward Jones, and Charles Bergstresser in 1889, also listed Spotify’s market value or cap as of Oct. 31, 2024, as $77.23 billion respectively.

Conclusion

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s claim, made during the launch of the local music streaming app GMX on Oct. 30, 2024, that Spotify’s market value is $80 billion is false.

Claim: A viral flyer claims Ghana’s ex-President John Mahama has said that it is typical of the Akan ethnic group to “answer questions with questions” in his response to some questions Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia posed.

Verdict: DUBAWA’s checks showed the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s 2024 Presidential candidate, John Mahama, did not make the alleged claim. Reacting to this on X, Beatrice Annan, Mahama’s Deputy Spokesperson, labelled the claim “fake news.” Also, Tamale-based Radio Tamale, the flyer’s alleged originator, has disclaimed it.

Full Text

A viral flyer claims Ghana’s ex-President John Mahama has said that it is typical of people from the Akan ethnic group to “answer questions with questions” in his response to some questions Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia posed.

While on a campaign trail, the ex-Ghanaian leader posed five questions to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s 2024 Presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

However, Ghana’s Vice President, Dr Bawumia, replied with 50 questions for Mr Mahama, including what his government did to promote the country’s creative arts and tourism.

Less than 24 hours after the exchanges between the two political leaders, a viral flyer making the rounds on WhatsApp in the country alleged that Mr Mahama had described Dr Bawumia’s attitude as typical of the Akan group who “answer questions with questions.”

“It is typical of Akans to answer Questions with Questions. The Bawumia I know is a Northern, so why is he behaving like a villager?” the ex-Ghanaian leader reportedly quizzed.

The viral flyer featured the logo of the Tamale-based media outlet Radio Tamale, which purportedly created it.

The Akan are Ghana’s largest ethnic group. They inhabit the Ashanti, Eastern, Central, and parts of the country’s Western Region. The Akan language has several variations, including Asante Twi, Akyem, and Fante.

DUBAWA decided to probe the claim as part of its campaign against misinformation and disinformation in West African countries.

Verification

DUBAWA’s investigations showed that John Mahama, the 2024 presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), did not make the alleged claim.

Reacting to this on X (formerly Twitter), Mahama’s Deputy Spokesperson Beatrice Annan labelled the claim “fake news.”

“John Mahama never uttered these words. Disregard the fake news with the utmost contempt it deserves,” the private legal practitioner wrote on Oct. 31, 2024.

Also, Tamale-based media outlet Radio Tamale, the flyer’s alleged originator, has disclaimed it.

Speaking to DUBAWA on the subject matter, Robicon Mornahson, an editor with the media outlet, said, “It (the flyer) is not coming from us.”

“We have released a disclaimer on that because it is not coming from us. We did not create that flyer,” the editor with Radio Tamale said.

The results of DUBAWA’s Google keyword search revealed that no reputable media outlet in the West African country has published reports on the allegation.

Given the interest generated by the exchanges between the leaders of Ghana’s two predominant political parties in the media, including social media, a claim allegedly made by Mr Mahama would have attracted attention.

However, as of Nov. 1, 2024, no data online supports the claim that the ex-Ghanaian leader has described the Akan as a group of people who “answer questions with questions.”

DUBAWA later contacted some social media users who shared the flyer to find out their source, but they have yet to respond to the inquiry.

Conclusion

John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2024 presidential candidate, did not say that it is typical of the Akan ethnic group to “answer questions with questions.”

Claim: A Facebook user shares an image that suggests that the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has released a modified version of the ballot paper hours after the demise of Akua Donkor. 

Verdict: False. By law, the EC gives the party that has lost its candidate 10 days to present a new candidate. As a result, the EC can’t release a new ballot paper hours after a candidate’s demise. 

Full Text

Amidst the politically charged atmosphere heading into the Dec. 7 polls, Ghanaians woke up to the sad news of the death of Madam Akua Donkor, presidential candidate for the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.

With barely 38 days to the elections, Madam Akua Donkor’s demise has left many people wondering what will happen next, especially after nominations have been accepted and announced and slots on the ballot paper have already been allocated. 

A Facebook user, Ibrahim Habib, shared an image in a post that suggested the EC had released a new version of the ballot paper hours after news broke about the demise of the GFP presidential candidate.

“Interestingly interesting,” the post was captioned. 

If the Facebook user’s post is anything to go by, the NDC flagbearer position on the ballot box has been changed from slot eight to seven which may have repercussions on the NDC’s voter education strategy. 

DUBAWA decided to investigate this claim to ascertain the veracity of this image. Again, the post has the potential to misinform or disinform ahead of the polls. 

Verification 

To verify this claim, DUBAWA had to establish what the electoral laws posit when a presidential candidate dies days before an election. 

 Article 50, clause 4 of the 1992 constitution of Ghana states that: 

“Where at the close of nominations, but before the election, one of the candidates dies, a further period of ten days shall be allowed for nominations; and where the death occurs at any time within twenty-five days before the election, the election in that constituency or unit shall be postponed for twenty-one days.”

The 1992 constitution thereby imposes a mandatory obligation on the EC to give the demised candidate’s party ten days to nominate a new candidate.

Regulation 13 of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I 127) also corroborates the provisions of Article 50 (4) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana. 

“Where at the close of nominations, but before the election, one of the candidates dies, a further period of ten days shall be allowed for nominations,” sub-regulation 3 of Regulation 13 of  Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I 127) states. 

Further, in an official EC presser issued on Oct. 29, 2024, the constitutionally mandated institution in charge of elections and electoral affairs reiterated that the GFP had been asked to present a new candidate. The EC added that the printing of electoral materials had been paused.

Also, DUBAWA contacted Mr Benjamin Bano-Bio, director of electoral services at the Electoral Commission of Ghana, who stated that the modified ballot paper did not emanate from them. 

Conclusion 

Article 50 (4) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana provides that the EC “shall” notify a political party to present a new candidate in ten days if a candidate dies after nominations have been accepted. The image of a new ballot paper hours after Akua Donkor’s demise is false.

Claim: Former President John Mahama and current flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress has claimed that in the 4th Republic, Ghana’s highest inflation was recorded during the tenure of Dr Mahamadu Bawumia.

Verdict: This is false. Data from the Bank of Ghana shows that in 1995 and 1996, the country recorded higher inflation rates than the 54%  recorded in December 2022.

Full Text

Former President and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress John Mahama has asked Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia five questions, who is also contesting for president in the 2024 elections.

John Mahama asked the Vice President and the head of the government’s Economic Management Team, why the country’s inflation rate rose to 54%.

“Why did inflation rise to its highest in the 4th Republic of 54% under your watch as EMT chair,” he queried.

Indeed, in December 2022, Ghana’s inflation rose to 54.1%. However, is that the highest in the fourth republic?

Verification

The Bank of Ghana provides historical data on Ghana’s inflation. Since the fourth republic was born in 1993, we have monitored Ghana’s inflation rate.

DUBAWA Ghana observed that in May 1995, Ghana’s inflation hit 56.12%. The rate continued going up for the rest of the year, peaking at 70.82% in December before falling slightly to 69.20% in January 1996.

It was not until June 1996 that Ghana’s inflation dropped to 48.42%, lower than the 54.1% inflation recorded in December 2022.

Below is the Bank of Ghana data showing inflation rates between 1992 and 1996.

The International Monetary Fund also provides historical data about Ghana’s inflation trend. Their data is an annual average instead of the month-by-month presentation by the Bank of Ghana. According to their data, Ghana’s inflation increased by 59.3% on average in 1995, which is also higher than the 54.1% recorded in 2022.

Conclusion

Ghana’s December 2022 inflation of 54.1% is not the highest in the fourth republic. Between May 1995 and May 1996, Ghana recorded inflation rates higher than the 54.1% attained in December 2022.

Claim: A Facebook user, Efo Kwesi Mawuto, has alleged that 78% of this year’s BECE candidates had an aggregate score of 33 and above, citing the Ghana Education Service (GES) as the source.

Verdict: False. Research by DUBAWA reveals that the claim is not based on official GES data. GES does not publish statistics related to BECE candidates’ performance.

Full Text

The Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) marks the transition for students from junior high school to senior high school. Given its importance, performance statistics are often a subject of interest for students, parents, and educators alike.

A Facebook user recently posted that many candidates who took the BECE this year have failed their exams.

Specifically, in a post dated October 23, 2024, he alleged that “78% of this year’s BECE candidates had aggregate 33 and above,” attributing the information to the Ghana Education Service (GES).

This claim quickly attracted attention on social media, with some users agreeing and amplifying the claim.

Reacting to the Facebook post, Akwasi Sunday wrote, “Chairman, it’s very true because I have a son and siblings in.”

Due to the post’s potential to cause panic, DUBAWA verified the claim as part of its campaign against misinformation and disinformation in Ghana.

Verification

DUBAWA’s investigation into the claim found that no such information had been released by the Ghana Education Service or any other relevant authority in education.

A Ghana Education Service (GES) administrator, Isaac Ofori, confirmed that no such statistics exist.

“No statistics have come out, and WAEC has not released any official decision prior to that. It’s just a political propaganda report.”

Contrary to social media claims, GES does not release performance data for BECE candidates. It relies on WAEC for these kinds of statistics.

To clarify further, DUBAWA contacted John Kapi, the Head of Public Affairs at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), who confirmed that the council does not publish statistics regarding candidates’ performance.

“And we have no intention of putting out any,” he added.

“Usually, we release statistics on the performance of candidates for the WASSCE because we’re able to compare their performance with that of other years. But with BECE, we have not released any statistics to indicate what percentage has passed and what percentage has failed.”

He added that such claims can create unnecessary panic among students, parents, and educators. Students may feel demoralised or anxious about their performance, leading to stress and decreased motivation.

“Well, from where I sit, I would say that the statement is misleading because it has no basis. Nobody has been able to tell us the exact source of the statement.”

DUBAWA also sent Efo Kwesi Mawuto a message on Facebook to share his source on the claim, but he has not responded as of press time.

Conclusion

The claim that 78% of BECE candidates scored an aggregate of 33 and above is False. The Ghana Education Service, or WAEC, have not released official data to support this assertion.

Claim: Multiple accounts on social media have shared a fact card claiming former Energy Minister and running mate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has called the Ga and Ewe tribes as Ghana’s problem, adding that, they should have never been part of the country.

Verdict: False! Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has not made such a statement. An advance google image search by DUBAWA reveals, no credible media house has published the story. Kapital Radio’s manager Korsi Asiseh has asked Ghanaians to disregard any viral political fact card which cannot be found on their website.

Full-Text

Multiple accounts on social media have shared a viral postcard with a photo of Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh tagging the Ga and Ewe ethnic tribes as those who are causing the majority of problems in Ghana.

Bearing the theme, tags and digital stamps purporting to be that of Kapital Radio 97.1 FM, it read: “Ga and Ewes are Ghana’s problem. Historically, they shouldn’t have been part of Ghana”

DUBAWA’s research, however, revealed that popular media influencer social media user @dejoh36 with the name Gideon, with over ­12,000 followers, was the first to put out the postcard on October 27, 2024, at 07:44 PM on X (formerly Twitter).

With the fact card posted on his page, Gideon had garnered over 78,900 views, 239 comments, and 286 retweets including 2,200 likes as of October 28, 2024.

A day after he shared the post, Gideon, who describes himself as a Twitter Democrat, had many believing the post card.  DUBAWA had to investigate since it had the potential to mislead.

Reacting to the post, an X user, ‘always_your_highness’ with handle @hishighnessssss replied on October 28, 2024:

 “That’s not what we are talking about here. What does Ga and Ewe got to do with fixing the country? With all due respect, this statement sounds unnecessary. Let’s normalize discussing innovative topics. The statement from this man is a drop in the bucket”

Additionally, one X user, The Ronaldo Era with the handle @DerbyWinnings also had this comment to make on October 28, 2024:

“This is the reason why Ghana’s problems are real problems because, the Ashanti’s think they are better than any tribe in Ghana, tbh these two tribes are the ones that are more truthful than these guys but I guess we aren’t prepared to have this convo yet.”

Another X user, Renato with handle @xie_rwy, who didn’t know what to believe about the post card said: “Charlie this is below belt, I’m not sure he actually said this. Let focus on selling our candidate than resorting to the NPP’s kind of politics.”

Meanwhile, other platforms equally shared the post card on X, and they can be found here, here and here, It can also be seen on Meta’s platform Threads, here.

Verification

DUBAWA’s investigation showed that Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the running mate to New Patriotic Party’s Presidential Candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, hasn’t made such tribal statement on his campaign tours ahead of the December 7 elections.

The media outlet’s Managing Director, Korsi Asiseh, maintained on their website that controversial political stories on flyers purportedly created by them are false and charged readers to always cross-check on their website to see if that story is there.

DUBAWA checked the website and also screened every recent social media post on Kapital Radio platforms, but the flier or postcard in question could not be found on any of their official pages.

“Beware of fake flyers circulating about our website putting up political stories,” he cautioned the public.

The findings of DUBAWA’s Google keyword search revealed that no reputable media organisation in the West African country has reported on Napo’s alleged comment.

Meanwhile, DUBAWA later contacted the originator of the post on X, @dejoh36 with the name Gideon, who shared the flier to find out his source, but he is yet to respond to the inquiry.

Conclusion

Former Energy Minister and running mate to New Patriotic Party’s Presidential Candidate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has not made any tribal statement accusing two of the popular ethnic tribes, Ga and Ewes, as those causing problems in the country.

Claim: A quote card allegedly created by TV3 claims that “about 8.4 million Ghanaians, or 24.5% of the population, went a day without food.” This they attributed to the Ghana Statistical Service.

Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s research reveals that the content of the information on the quote card purported to be coming from the Ghana Statistical Service does not exist.

Full Text

As Ghana heads towards the 2024 election in December, the economy and the general cost of living are among the key issues determining who will win the election.

The two leading political parties, the governing New Patriotic Party and the major opposition National Democratic Congress, have promised to improve Ghanaians’ standard of living when they are elected in the December election.

However, a viral quote card with the designs and logos of  Media General has surfaced on Facebook, particularly in pro-National Democratic Congress (NDC) circles, claiming that “about 8.4 million Ghanaians, or 24.5% of the population, went a day without food” The content was attributed to a supposed 2023 report on food insecurity by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

Given the content of the information and how directly it affects the citizens, DUBAWA decided to investigate it.

Verification

DUBAWA started the investigation by contacting the local media house, Media General, which created this quote card to ascertain the authenticity of the claim. The media house confirmed that the fact card emanated from them but was quick to add that the content was a quote made by Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament.

During a presentation in parliament on Monday, March 11, 2024, by Cassiel Ato Forson (Point 42, page 10) on the True State of the Nation Address,  said, “8.4 million Ghanaians, or 24.5% of the population, went a day without food.”

This statistic was reportedly sourced from the Ghana Statistical Service’s (GSS) 2023 food insecurity report. The quote has recently gained traction on social media, with pro-NDC accounts sharing it widely.

DUBAWA further reviewed the official website of the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) to locate the cited 2023 report on food insecurity. Despite a search of various reports, the researcher  found no document or publication titled “Food Insecurity Report 2023.” Other reports published around that period do not reference the 8.4 million figure or the claim about 24.5% of Ghanaians going without food for a day.

Again, the researcher contacted Paul Seneadza, a GSS public relations staff member, to clarify the existence of such a report. The communications department could not corroborate the claim. According to him, the GSS did not produce such a report, and the statistic mentioned was not part of their documented research.

During a Google Advanced Search for the specific quote, a similar statistic from 2017 emerged. In a report from the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana, it was noted that “8.4 million Ghanaians, at the time, were unable to afford 3 cedis a day.”

While these figures are strikingly similar, they refer to two different contexts, periods with different institutions.

Conclusion

After examining the available evidence, it is clear that the fact card’s content and the Minority Leader’s claim are false. The GSS has not released a “Food Insecurity Report 2023.” The data provided in the viral fact card relates to research done in 2017 by ISSER, not in 2023.