Claim: Multiple sources say Ghanaian opposition lawmaker Haruna Iddrisu has discredited a comment his colleague, Isaac Adongo, made in which he described the country’s Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a known Muslim, as a “pork eater.”
Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s investigation showed that the ex-Ghanaian Labour Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has not reacted to his colleague’s controversial comment about Dr Bawumia, as alleged. Mr Iddrisu told DUBAWA that he did not make the purported comment attributed to him. Also, Kumasi-based Kapital Radio, the alleged originators of the claim, has labelled it as “fake.”
Full-Text
Multiple sources say Ghanaian opposition lawmaker Haruna Iddrisu has opposed Isaac Adongo’s controversial comment where he described the country’s Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a known Muslim, as a “pork eater.”
Addressing supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Sept. 30, 2024, the Bolgatanga Central Member of Parliament (MP) said they would resist Dr Bawumia’s attempt to become a dog meat consumer in the country.
“Tell him that the people of Bolga [have] asked me to come and tell him, led by our leader who is the Dog Eaters’ Association of Ghana and International, Clement Apaak that if he makes a mistake and he joins in the eating of dog, we will beat him in Bolga. He should stop at the pork. If he decides to now join us in how to eat dog meat, he shouldn’t come to Bolga,” the legislator told his supporters.
Mr Adongo explained, “For those of you in the Zongo community, they will come and tell you that Dr Bawumia is a Muslim. Today, those of you who are close to Dr Bawumia, I want you to go and tell him. He started by drinking wine and we forgave him. He progressed to drink whisky and started dancing off-beat and walking carelessly. Now he has decided to be chewing pork.”
For Mr Adongo’s caution to the country’s vice president, Dr Bawumia, see minutes 0:01 to 1:02 of the campaign video shared on X (formerly Twitter).
DUBAWA is not in the position to confirm the claim by Mr Adongo.
Less than 24 hours after Mr Adongo’s controversial comment, his colleague and ex-Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, reportedly opposed him.
“My senior brother, Dr Bawumai doesn’t eat pork, nor does he drink alcohol. He is a devout Muslim,” Haruna Iddrisu reportedly said.
The purported comment was on a viral flyer with Kumasi-based Kapital Radio’s logo on it.
The flyer is currently being circulated on X (formerly Twitter): here, here, here, here, and here. It is also on Facebook as can be seen here.
Reacting to the flyer on X, Osono Ammiel wrote, “Hon Haruna Iddrisu exposed NDC Isaac Adongo.”
Another X user, Nana Kay, wrote, “Hon. Haruna Iddrisu has condemned Isaac Adongo for saying Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is a pork eater and a drunkard. He is a devout Muslim and not like a drunkard as Mahama.”
Since the social media platform’s data revealed as of Oct. 2, 2024, the video has recorded 183,543 views, 262 comments, over 1,234 likes, 290 reposts, and 157 bookmarks.
Also, the viral flyer with the purported comment shared on X had cumulative views of over 24,077 and 540 likes as of Oct. 2, 2024.
DUBAWA decided to probe the claim on the flyer due to its virality on social media in Ghana.
Verification
DUBAWA’s research showed that the ex-Ghanaian Employment Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has not reacted to his colleague’s controversial comment about Dr Bawumia, as alleged.
Mr Iddrisu disclosed to DUBAWA that he did not make the purported comment attributed to him.
“Not me, not me. Cross-check your facts,” the Tamale South Member of Parliament told DUBAWA.
Also, Kumasi-based Kapital Radio, the alleged originators of the claim, has labelled it as “fake.”
The media outlet’s Managing Director, Korsi Asiseh, maintained that political stories on flyers purportedly created by them are false.
“Beware of fake flyers circulating about our website putting up political stories,” he cautioned the public.
The findings of DUBAWA’s Google keyword search revealed that no reputable media organisation in the West African country has reported on Mr Iddrisu’s alleged comment.
DUBAWA later contacted two of the X users who shared the flyer to find out their source, but they have yet to respond to the inquiry.
Conclusion
Ex-Ghanaian Employment and Labour Relations Minister Haruna Iddrisu has not reacted to his colleague, Isaac Adongo’s controversial comment about Dr Bawumia’s pork-eating habit, as alleged.