Claim: A viral fact card alleged lawmaker Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had blamed the traders at Kantamanto, a popular second-hand clothes market in Accra, for the fire that destroyed their stalls.
Verdict: False. JUSTFACT GHANA’s investigations showed that Mr Ablakwa, the ex-Ghanaian deputy Education Minister, did not make the alleged claim. Accra-based media outlet EIB Network, the purported originator of the flyer, has denied creating it. Also, Mr Ablakwa has described the claim as “fake.”
Background
A viral fact card alleged lawmaker Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had blamed the traders at Kantamanto, a popular second-hand clothes market in Accra, for the fire that destroyed their shops.
Fire tore through the popular market, destroying hundreds of stalls and millions of livelihoods on Jan. 2, 2025.
Hours later, a viral flyer on social media claimed Ghanaian lawmaker Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had accused the traders of starting the fire.
“Traders could have burnt the market (Kantamanto) themselves to avoid paying due loans,” Mr Ablakwa reportedly said.
Investigations
JUSTFACT GHANA’s investigations showed that Mr Ablakwa, the ex-Ghanaian deputy Education Minister, did not make the alleged claim.
Accra-based media outlet EIB Network, the purported originator of the flyer, has denied creating it.
“This flyer is fake and was not issued by #EIBNetwork, #UltimateFM or #AbusuaFM. Please refer to our official platforms for accurate and verified updates,” the media outlet said.
Also, Mr Ablakwa has described the claim as “fake.”
“It’s fake! Misinformation, Disinformation & Deep Fake shall fail,” the Ghanaian lawmaker said.
The findings of JUSTFACT GHANA’s Google Keyword Search showed no reputable media outlet in the country published a report on the claim.
Conclusion
Ghanaian lawmaker Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa did not blame the traders at Kantamanto, a popular second-hand clothes market in Accra, for the fire that destroyed their stalls.
