Kufuor’s wheelchair comment falsely attributed to NDC’s Sammy Gyamfi

Multiple sources claimed Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communication Officer of Ghana’s opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has asked the country’s ex-President John Kufuor to “shut up” after he encouraged Ghanaians to vote for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s 2024 flagbearer.

Mr Kufuor told Accra-based Asempa FM that Ghana needs a leader whounderstands technology and how it drives economic growth.

The ex-Ghanaian leader believes the Presidential candidate who towers over the pack in this area is Dr Bawumia, the ruling NPP’s 2024 flagbearer.

“We need somebody like him [Dr Bawumia] who understands modern trends in global affairs, as well as technology and digitalisation. These are the trends in developed countries like America and others,” Mr Kufuor said.

See the news report on the interview here, here, and here.

Less than 24 hours after the interview’s broadcast, Sammy Gyamfi, the opposition NDC National Communication Officer, reportedly called out Mr Kufuor for his comments.

“Shut up in your wheelchair. You will go to jail when Mahama is sworn in,” Mr Gyamfi reportedly told the ex-Ghanaian leader.

The claim was on a flyer with the logo of Accra-based Class FM.

See the flyer here, here, and here.

Reacting to the claim, an X user, Akaglo Wisdom, wrote on Nov. 14, 2024, said,

“Ashantis [residents of Ashanti] must punish John Mahama for this.”

The social media platform said that as of Nov. 15, 2024, the X user’s post had received over 161,945 views, 482 comments, 156 reposts, 1,943 likes, and 39 bookmarks.

Also, reacting to the claim on X (formerly Twitter), Samuel Koku Anyidoho, a suspended NDC member, wrote on Nov. 15, 2024, said,

“Such impetuous abrasive arrogance and disrespect!!! Is this what they want power for??? Father, forgive them for they know not what they are saying.”

The social media data revealed Mr Anyidoho’s post on X had, as of Nov. 15, 2024, received over 216,934 views, 219 reposts, 2,432 likes, 561 comments, and 56 bookmarks.

DUBAWA decided to probe the claim due to its virality in the West African country.

Verification

DUBAWA’s investigation showed Sammy Gyamfi, the opposition NDC’s Communication Officer, did not make the alleged comment.

Commenting on the widely circulated claim on X on Nov. 14, 2024, Mr Gyamfi described it as “fake.”

The private legal practitioner later reacted to Mr Anyidoho’s X post on Nov. 15, 2024, claiming he had not “made any such comment anywhere.”

He replied,

“I didn’t know that you were this naive not [to] know fake news when you see one. Clearly, your bitterness against the NDC and people like me has blinded you to the truth.

“For your information, I have not made any such comment anywhere. Do your checks and spare yourself this embarrassment. Conveyor of FAKE NEWS. Disgraceful!”

Also, Accra-based Class FM, the alleged originator of the claim on the flyer, has disputed it.

The media outlet told DUBAWA it did not create the fact card that has gone viral on social media in the country.

Similarly, DUBAWA’s Google keyword search revealed that no credible media outlet in Ghana has reported on the claim.

With less than 22 days to the general election in Ghana, the alleged claim would have dominated discussions and headlines in the country if Mr Gyamfi had said it.

However, no such data supports the claim that Mr Gyamfi had asked the country’s second President in the Fourth Republic, Mr Kufuor, to “shut up” and reserve his comments about the nation’s governance to himself.

Conclusion

Sammy Gyamfi, the opposition NDC’s Communication Officer, has not told the country’s ex-president, John Kufuor, to “shut up” after openly endorsing the ruling NPP’s 2024 candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.