Claim: President John Mahama is offering GH¢1,500 to Ghanaians as a “development cash grant” via an online link.
Source: GhanaFact WhatsApp chatbot
Verdict: False
Researched by Samuel Nii Adjetey
GhanaFact, through our WhatsApp chatbot, received a claim that President John Dramani Mahama is giving out GH¢1,500.00 in a “development cash grant” to Ghanaians.
The message urged users to click on a link to answer a few questions and receive the money instantly. It is accompanied by a supposed confirmation statement that reads, “I just got mine,” so the message appears legitimate.
This fact-check report seeks to verify the authenticity of the claim being made.
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Fact-Check
GhanaFact conducted a step-by-step analysis of the website in question to test the process of qualifying for the promised amount.
Upon accessing the website, users are greeted with a welcome message and a follow-up question whether the applicant has a Ghanaian ID number.
To reinforce a false sense of credibility, the site displays official state symbols, including the Coat of Arms of Ghana, the logo of the Ministry of Youth and Sports – Republic of Ghana, and a photo of President John Dramani Mahama, with the text “Youth Development 2025.”
After answering the questions, users receive a congratulatory message: “Congratulation! Your answers have been saved. Now you have a chance to win GHS1500 cash prize. You have 3 chances! We wish you good luck.”
By clicking “start”, it takes the user to a new instruction screen telling users:
“Your Prize is: GHS1500. Follow the instructions below to get your prize!”
The applicant is then asked to share the link with five WhatsApp groups or 15 friends using a WhatsApp icon. A progress bar marked “Share until the blue bar is full!” starts at 0%, urging users to continue sharing the link to proceed.
Once the link is shared, users get to the final page, where the tone shifts. The page reads:
“Your Prize is: GHS1500 cash. Follow the instruction below to claim your prize!”
It then states: “Congratulations! The last verification step. You have to subscribe to our service for verification and you might WIN ANYTHING, e.g. iPhones, iPads, and many more gifts!”
This sequence is consistent with online scams that use the lure of free money to harvest personal data and amplify fraudulent content through social sharing.
To verify the link’s authenticity, GhanaFact ran it through virustotal.com, a security website that scans links and files for malicious code. The scan classified the link as malicious and phishing.
Proofpoint.com defines phishing as “a common type of cyber attack that targets individuals through email, text messages, phone calls, and other forms of communication.
“A phishing attack aims to trick the recipient into falling for the attacker’s desired action, such as revealing financial information, system login credentials, or other sensitive information,” it adds.
Using WHOIS information on the domain name – ghana-grant.giveout.buzz reveals that the website has the following details: Registered on October 29, 2023, updated on November 5, 2025, and expires on October 29, 2025
The domain owner employed the services of NameSilo LLC., a Corporate Domain Management and consultancy company.
GhanaFact’s additional checks revealed that none of the official communication channels (social media and website) of John Dramani Mahama and the Presidency have posted information about the distribution of GHS1,500 to Ghanaians as a “development cash grant” via an online link.
Verdict
Therefore, the WhatsApp message claiming that President John Mahama is giving money is a HOAX, and the link is malicious.
How to avoid being a victim of malicious links
- Avoid the Link: Refrain from clicking on malicious links or sharing them with others.
- Stay Alert to Phishing Scams: Phishing links are often presented in offers of financial aid, rewards, or prizes. Always verify the source of such a message through trusted channels before engaging.
- Report Suspicious Content: Flag suspicious links on social media to help prevent others from falling victim to the scam.
