Claim: The Citi Breakfast Show hosts discussed excessive ministerial appointments in a video that allegedly reflects appointments made under President John Mahama.
Verdict: Misleading! The video is an old recording from January 2023, during the tenure of former President Nana Akufo-Addo. It has no connection to Mahama’s recent appointments.
Analysis/Body
A video shared on X by user Edward Acquah-Baidoo, on February 24 with the caption: ‘e shock you? we’ve not seen anything yet. abi we say we want it? ego over we soon. 3y3 zu bia‘ has gained over 136,000 likes, 204 shares, and more than 200 comments.
The footage features Citi FM presenters Bernard Avle, Godfred Akoto Boafo, Nathan Quao, and Kokui Selormey discussing the number of ministers and political appointees in government. Many social media users have linked this discussion to President Mahama’s recent appointments.
Due to the virality of the video and the misleading claims attached to it, Citi Verify conducted a fact-check to establish the truth.
Verification
1. Reverse Image Search
Using InVID Verification, a reverse image search confirmed that the video was first shared in January 2023. Multiple social media users had posted the same clip at the time, proving that it is not a recent discussion related to any recent appointments.
2. Panel Composition
Further scrutiny of the panel confirms the video is outdated. Kokui Selormey left Citi FM in 2023, and Nathan Quao exited in January 2024. Since both had left the station before Mahama took office and made any ministerial appointments, they could not have been discussing his administration’s decisions.
3. Key Statement in the Video
At timestamp 02:22, Bernard Avle asks:
“And these guys are different from the Information Minister?”
Godfred Akoto Boafo responds:
“Yes.”
This statement is significant because President Mahama has abolished the Information Ministry, fulfilling his campaign promise to run a lean government with only 60 ministers. Under Mahama’s administration, the Information Ministry’s responsibilities have been reassigned to other agencies, making it impossible for the discussion in the video to be about his government.
Conclusion
The viral video is a misrepresentation of an old discussion from January 2023, which took place during Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration. It does not reflect President Mahama’s recent ministerial appointments and is therefore misleading.