By: Benedict AbuBakarr Conteh - 05/02/2025
Claim: Social media posts allege that Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, was arrested in Accra for possessing cocaine.
Verdict: False
Full Report:
Recent social media claims suggest that Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Ghana, was arrested in Accra for cocaine possession. This allegation has been widely shared, often accompanied by an alleged front-page report from the Ghanaian Times newspaper dated January 31, 2025.
However, our investigation finds no credible evidence to support this claim.
Investigating the Claim
1. No Official Records of Arrest
- We contacted the Ghana Police Service, which confirmed that there are no records of any arrest involving Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba related to drug possession or any other offense.
2. Manipulated Newspaper Image
- The viral front page of the Ghanaian Times has been analyzed and found to be doctored. The actual edition of the newspaper from January 31, 2025, does not contain any such report. The Ghanaian Times has since issued a disclaimer denying any involvement in publishing the false news.
3. No Credible Media Coverage
- A search through major Ghanaian and Sierra Leonean media outlets, including GhanaWeb, JoyNews, SLBC, and Awoko, yielded no reports of such an arrest. If an incident of this nature had occurred, it would have been widely covered by reputable news agencies.
4. Official Statement from Sierra Leone’s High Commission in Ghana
- The Sierra Leone High Commission in Ghana has issued a statement debunking the claim, describing it as “false, malicious, and without merit.” The statement urged the public to disregard the misinformation and rely on verified sources for accurate news.
Potential Source of Misinformation
A possible explanation for the false claim could be its link to a separate incident involving the Sierra Leone Embassy in Guinea. On January 17, 2025, Guinean authorities intercepted a diplomatic vehicle reportedly carrying suitcases suspected to contain illegal substances. While this case remains under investigation, it does not involve the High Commissioner to Ghana. The misinformation may have stemmed from a misinterpretation or deliberate distortion of this event.
Conclusion
The claim that Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Ghana, was arrested for cocaine possession is entirely false. No police records, no credible media reports, and no official statements support this allegation. The public is advised to verify information before sharing it to prevent the spread of misinformation.
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