A flyer circulating on some WhatsApp platforms alleges that Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II has cautioned the Former President and Flagbearer of the opposition New Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, against spreading lies to pitch citizens against the country’s leaders.
The flyer suggests that the Overlord of Dagbon alerted the NDC flagbearer during his (Mahama) “Building Ghana Tour” on February 7, 2024, which brought him to the Yaa Naa’s palace in the Northern Region.
Fact-Check Ghana has verified the claim circulating on WhatsApp platforms and presents the details below.
Claim: “You know our current challenges were caused by COVID and other external factors. As a leader, you must not pitch the people against other leaders with lies.”
Verdict: False
Explanation:
When John Dramani Mahama and his entourage visited the palace of the Yaa Naa, the Paramount Chief of Zangbalang Lana, Dr. Yakubu Jacob Mahama, spoke on behalf of the Dagbon Overlord.
During the event which streamed live on the Facebook page of John Dramani Mahama, lasting 54 minutes and 51 seconds, Dr. Yakubu Jacob Mahama’s speech begins at the 32 minutes and 52 seconds mark.
At 34 minutes and 23 seconds, Dr Jacob Mahama expressed gratitude for John Dramani Mahama’s willingness to listen to the people’s voices and pledging to address various challenges, including those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other external pressures.
In the entire speech of the spokesperson of the Yaa Naa, nowhere did he caution John Mahama against pitching people against the country’s leaders with lies.
It’s fake – Radio Tamale Editor
The viral flyer also had the logo and social media handles of Radio Tamale, suggesting it was created by the media outlet.
However, when Fact-Check Ghana checked on the social media platforms of Radio Tamale, there were no traces of the flyer.
The team further reached out to the Editor of the radio station, Robicon Mornahson, who said his outlet did not create the flyer. He added that it was fake.
From the above, the flyer is fabricated content and its claim that the Yaa Naa has cautioned John Mahama against spreading lies is false.
