Is Ghana’s president Nana Akufo-Addo calling for sports betting to be immediately banned in his country? That’s the claim on the news site Naij Web.
The story was published in March 2019 and has since been shared on Facebook and other websites.
“Ban sports betting with immediate effect- Akifo Addo,” the headline reads.
The article claims the president made the order during an independence after-party at Tamale in northern Ghana.
“According to Baffour’s report, the order came after three ministers who accompanied the President lost concentration as results of bet slips they lost when Young Boys led Luzern by four goals to nil in the 70th minute during their Switzerland Cup [football] match. Our understanding is, this is a developing satiric story and that updates will be followed up shortly.”
While the word “satiric” indicates that the article may be an attempt at satire, it has been shared on Facebook with no such disclaimer.

In March 2019 News 7PM published the story about President Akufo-Addo calling for sports betting to be banned in Ghana. This story was rated “satirical content,” but they used the real photograph of President Akufo-Addo.
The site is explicit about its stories being verified or satirical, and this one has been shared across social media without the disclaimer - satirical content. – Motunrayo Joel
The story was published in March 2019 and has since been shared on Facebook and other websites.
“Ban sports betting with immediate effect- Akifo Addo,” the headline reads.
The article claims the president made the order during an independence after-party at Tamale in northern Ghana.
“According to Baffour’s report, the order came after three ministers who accompanied the President lost concentration as results of bet slips they lost when Young Boys led Luzern by four goals to nil in the 70th minute during their Switzerland Cup [football] match. Our understanding is, this is a developing satiric story and that updates will be followed up shortly.”
While the word “satiric” indicates that the article may be an attempt at satire, it has been shared on Facebook with no such disclaimer.

Satirical content
In March 2019 News 7PM published the story about President Akufo-Addo calling for sports betting to be banned in Ghana. This story was rated “satirical content,” but they used the real photograph of President Akufo-Addo.
The site is explicit about its stories being verified or satirical, and this one has been shared across social media without the disclaimer - satirical content. – Motunrayo Joel
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