Claim: Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (NAPO) seen holding an NDC-branded umbrella

Source: Viral photo

Verdict: FAKE

Researched by Benjamin Tenkorang

Did Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh hold an NDC-branded umbrella at a public event as seen in a viral picture on X/formerly Twitter?

Barely a month after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) announced Dr. Prempeh, alias Napo, as their presidential running mate for the 2024 elections, a photo has emerged on X seemingly to suggest his subtle endorsement of the opposition party. 

The viral photo of NAPO holding an NDC-branded umbrella

In the picture, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh is seen holding the NDC-branded umbrella on a rainy day near a football pitch and that has been shared by a number of X users – here, here, here, here, here, here, & here. 

 

Fact-Check 

GhanaFact checks show the picture was first shared at 6:24 PM on July 15, 2024 by X user  Mista Opare. At the time of filing this report, the post had garnered more than 300 interactions including retweets, and likes. 

A screengrab of the flyer posted on X

 

Subsequently the visual card was amplified by other X users using the same caption: “Under uncomfortable conditions, where it practically feels unbearable, an umbrella provides a safe haven. Even Napo feels safe under the Umbrella” – which suggests some coordination. (here, here, here, here & here)

A collaged image of different posts using the same caption

GhanaFact conducted a google reverse image search of the viral photo and found the original image was first shared online on August 18, 2023, by the NPP running mate, who is also the former Minister of Energy on his social media platforms here and here.

This was after the staff of the Ministry of Energy and the sector agencies gathered for the 2023 Energy Games at Akuse Sports Complex. 

A screenshot of the original image shared on Facebook in 2023

A quick inspection of the original photo shows there was no NDC logo on the umbrella and it might have likely been inserted after the facts.

Manipulated image (L)/ Original image (R)

Using an Exif data viewer, GhanaFact found that the manipulated image does not contain any EXIF metadata, which often indicates that it may have been stripped during editing to remove traces of manipulation.

Additionally, there is no evidence that, former president John Mahama, whose campaign logo was captured on the flyer has shared any such poster neither has the NDC’s official social media handles.

Verdict

The viral image is rated FAKE.