Claim: A screenshot of a post on X attributed to Joyce Bawah Mogtari claims the Former President was not invited to Asantehene’s 25th anniversary
Source: Viral screenshot
Verdict: FALSE
Researched by David Yovo-Ofori
Following the absence of the former president, John Dramani Mahama, at the 25th anniversary of Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, a screenshot of a tweet allegedly shared from the X/Twitter account of his Special Aid Joyce Bawah Mogtari, claimed the former President was not invited.
A supposed screenshot of a post by Joyce Bawah Mogtari
According to some X/Twitter users who have shared the supposed screenshot from Joyce Bawah Mogtari, she has since deleted the post (here and here )
“Initially, I thought it’s fake, so she has deleted it? Why on earth do these folks keep on disrespecting the Asantehene? You people hate Asantes with passion. No matter how you hate Asante, Ashanti is a kingdom with a KING,” an X/Twitter user posted after sharing the supposed screenshot from Joyce Bawah Mogtari.
The supposed screenshot from Joyce Bawah Mogtari being shared on X
Background
On May 6, 2024, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,celebrated his 74th birthday and his 25th anniversary since his ascension to the throne of the Ashanti Kingdom. Present at the celebration at the new Silver Jubilee Hall, Manhyia Palace, Kumasi, were the President and Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, statesmen, diplomats and other dignitaries.
However, the former President and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, was not present at the function.
Fact-Check:
On May 12, 2024, the aid to former PresidentJoyce Bawah Mogtari, responded to the viral screenshot and tagged it as fake. In a post shared on her X/Twitter handle, Joyce Bawah Mogtari dismissed the claim.
“…To all those sharing fake news: crime has no expiry date. There are digital footprints that are permanent. You will be dealt with as you continue to peddle these maliciously fake stories. Take note.” She partly said in a post.
The relationship between my Boss, Former President John Dramani Mahama and Nana Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu is a matter of public record.
Both gentlemen enjoy a warm brotherly relationship and let me state without doubt that John Mahama does not require any kind of invitation… pic.twitter.com/IvVfpB5Eis
There are emerging concerns about the use of open source digital tools to create fake tweet with a verified tag. Fake Tweet Generator (TWEETGEN) is one such tool, bad actors can use to generate tweets using other people’s names, and handles which can be portrayed online as tweets shared by the original user of that handle. These tweets can only be shared in a screenshot format.
Verdict
Therefore, the claim attributed to Joyce Bawah Mogtari is false.
