Officials in the United Kingdom have refuted claims regarding the London Metropolitan Police seizing £15 million from an undisclosed Ghanaian individual. According to a report from Citinewsroom, both the UK Financial Intelligence Unit and the Border Agency have denied any involvement or knowledge of such an incident.
The rumors originated from a short video circulating on various social media platforms, alleging that a high-profile member of Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) had been detained by the London Metropolitan Police, with £15 million confiscated from them. However, the video did not provide specific details or mention any names, referring to the individual only as the “Prime Minister.”
This unsubstantiated claim joins a slew of false information circulating on social media, raising concerns about the proliferation of fake news and its impact on national development. The video purported that the Ghanaian initially transported $1.5 million on a chartered flight to London, attributing it to proceeds from a contract intended for investment. Subsequently, the individual allegedly brought an additional £15 million to London, which was then impounded by authorities.
According to the video, the London Metropolitan Police demanded evidence of the contract that generated the funds. It claimed that the Ghanaian sought assistance from a high-ranking official at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for documentation but was reportedly unable to obtain it.
This incident underscores the urgency for stricter regulations to combat the dissemination of misinformation, particularly on social media platforms. Many Ghanaians are urging the National Media Commission (NMC) to enforce legislation that safeguards the integrity of public discourse and protects the right to freedom of expression while maintaining national peace and security.
Numerous stakeholders have voiced concerns about the prevalence of disinformation, emphasizing its detrimental effects on communication and the erosion of truth and integrity in public dialogue. There’s a growing consensus that concerted efforts are needed to address the spread of fake news and uphold journalistic standards in the digital age.
