Claim: A video circulating online suggests that the Member of Parliament (MP) for Okaikwei Central has urged constituents to vote “skirt and blouse” in the upcoming elections.
Verdict: False. The video is doctored and the voice-over is AI-generated. In the original video, Patrick Boamah, the MP for Okaikwei Central, only called for peace ahead of the elections.
MAIN TEXT
On November 28, an X user, khkayy27, shared a video that has since garnered over 17,000 views and approximately 20 shares. The user claimed that Patrick Boamah, MP for Okaikwei Central, was urging voters to engage in ‘skirt and blouse’ voting in the 2024 general elections.
The AI-generated video, which bears the caption, “So some NPP MPs are preaching skirt and blouse. I just saw this video somewhere,” includes a voiceover alleging that the MP advised constituents to vote for John Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, for president, while voting to retain him as the MP under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) ticket.
However, many comments under the post doubted its authenticity, dismissing it as propaganda. To clarify matters, CitiVerify conducted an investigation into the claim.
VERIFICATION
CitiVerify began by confirming the MP’s presence at Fadama, as depicted in the video. A review on Patrick Boamah’s official Instagram page showed him at the New Fadama astroturf wearing the same green kaftan as seen in the AI-generated video.
To verify further, CitiVerify utilised InVID verification and Google reverse image search. The microphone in the AI-generated video was identified as belonging to Active TV. The original video was found on Active TV’s official Facebook page.
In the original footage, Patrick Boamah praises the establishment of developmental projects in Fadama and advocates for the creation of an endowment fund. During the interview, he calls for peaceful elections, stating in the local language (translated): “To Christians, Muslims, and everybody, elections are a time of accountability. We need peace during this election because Ghana belongs to us all.
At no point in the interview does Patrick Boamah advocate for ‘skirt and blouse’ voting.
Additionally, Patrick Boamah has publicly refuted the claim, reaffirming his full support and allegiance to the NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
CONCLUSION
The claim that MP for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Boamah is advocating ‘skirt and blouse’ voting is false. The original video only shows him calling for peace ahead of the elections.
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