Claim: Some social media users and media outlets are claiming that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta suffered a major stroke over the weekend.
Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s investigation revealed that less than 24 hours after the alleged stroke report, Ofori-Atta was seen actively participating in the Most Reverend Prof J Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu’s induction service. The ceremony was held at Wesley Cathedral in Accra. He was also at the 25th durbar of the Okyenhene days later.
Full Text
On Friday, October 11, 2024, a breaking news story emerged from social media and some news outlets, claiming that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta had suffered a major stroke.
The story quickly gained traction, with users on multiple platforms sharing the claim.
The rumour began when Ghana Chronicle, a media outlet, made a post on X stating, “Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta suffered a major stroke over the weekend. Let’s all remember him in our prayers.”
The post immediately triggered widespread discussion with over a million views, 4.2k likes and 1k comments. Some social media users expressed shock, while others either wished him well or expressed thrill over the news. Check here and here. Some users also shared quote cards across various platforms, lending credence to the rumour.
There have been no official statements from Ofori-Atta or his representatives confirming any health issues, including a stroke. However, the Finance Minister once opened up about struggling with liver disease on Good Evening Ghana on Metro TV on Thursday, November 19, 2021, which could have made Ghanaians believe the rumour that he was ill again.
DUBAWA decided to investigate this claim since the spread of misinformation regarding the health of public figures is common, especially on social media during election season.
Verification
On October 12, 2024, Ken Ofori-Atta attended the Induction Service of the new Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, Most Rev. Prof. J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, held at the Wesley Cathedral in Accra.
Also, President Akufo-Addo’s attorney, Kow Essuman, denounced the rumour: “Ken Ofori-Atta, in his beautiful kente cloth, is currently at the induction of the Most Reverend Prof J Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, the 6th Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, at the Wesley Cathedral in Accra. The wicked lies must stop! Congratulations, Presiding!”
The former Minister of Finance, dressed in colourful kente cloth, later joined the 25th Anniversary Royal Grand Durbar of Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin.
Also on his part, former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, posted images of Ofori-Atta from the occasion with the caption,
“I recently saw Ken Ofori-Atta at the new presiding bishop’s induction service at Wesley Cathedral in Accra, despite reports that he is near death and has left Ghana.” Anyidoho said, “May God pardon us for disseminating such lies.”
To eliminate all doubts, DUBAWA employed reverse image and video search techniques to authenticate the footage of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta at the 25th Durbar of the Okyenhene.
The search results traced the image back to Ghana’s state broadcaster, GTV’s official Facebook page, where the video excerpts of the durbar were posted.
This confirmation linked the image directly to the live event coverage by the state broadcaster, affirming that the photo was not manipulated or taken out of context.
Additionally, the original full video, posted by GTV, corroborated that Ofori-Atta was actively participating in the event, debunking the stroke-related rumour.
By utilising these verification techniques, DUBAWA confirmed that the images and videos of Ken Ofori-Atta at the Durbar were authentic.
Conclusion
The assertion that Ken Ofori-Atta is suffering from a stroke is unfounded and false. His recent active participation in public events serves as clear evidence against this claim.