Reports of Akufo-Addo congratulating Liberian Vice President false – Mustapha Hamid

The Minister for Information, Mustapha Hamid, says reports suggesting that President Akufo-Addo has congratulated Liberian Vice President, Joseph Boakai, as the winner of that country’s presidential run-off, are false.

According to him, the fake publications are being fuelled by some opponents of the government.

“The attention of the Office of the President has been drawn to a false news report that President Akufo-Addo has congratulated one of the contestants in Liberia’s Presidential run-off.

“Unsurprisingly, this fake news is making the rounds on news portals belonging to political opponents of the government and being circulated on social media by political opponents.

A snapshot of a video footage circulating on social media captures President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo congratulating Vice President Joseph Boakai who is also flagbearer of the Unity Party (UP), for his electoral victory over the leader of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Senator, George Manneh Weah.

But a press statement issued by the Ministry says the publication is untrue.

The statement stated, “The President has made no such call, and we urge Ghanaians to disregard this false news. Just like the rest of the world, we will await the results of the run-off as declared by Liberia’s Electoral Commission.”

Official results are expected to be declared Friday, December 29, 2017, but reports suggest former football star, George Manneh Weah 51, is leading Joseph Boakai, 73.

Mr Weah won the first round, but did not secure the required 50% of the vote for an outright victory.

Legal challenges delayed the vote to replace Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first elected female president.