JoyNews investigations have confirmed that a viral image circulating on social media, claiming to show President John Dramani Mahama wearing Free The Youth (FTY) sneakers, a denim jacket, and jeans, is fake.
The image, widely shared on TikTok from the account @ghana.com44, suggested the president stepped out in a streetwear-inspired outfit during an official engagement in Tamale.
Online users focused on the colourful sneakers, identified as the FTY x Air Jordan 1.
FTY Sneakers Were Presented, Not Worn
The false image appears to draw credibility from a separate, legitimate event. Last Saturday, January 10, President Mahama was presented with official merchandise from Ghanaian streetwear brand Free The Youth (FTY), including a branded shirt and the FTY x Air Jordan 1 sneakers. There is, however, no evidence he wore the sneakers publicly at the time.
Image Traced to Original Video
A reverse Google image search of the viral photo uncovered videos from blogger Ghhypher showing President Mahama’s arrival at Tamale Airport on May 1, 2025, ahead of the launch of the National Apprenticeship Programme. In the original footage, he disembarked from the GHF-550 Ghana Air Force Airbus C-295 and greeted officials on the tarmac. The aircraft markings, military presence, and airport setting in the authentic video match those in the viral image, confirming both visuals originate from the same moment.
However, in the unedited footage, President Mahama is dressed formally in a blue long-sleeved shirt, dark trousers, and black shoes.
The video also captures the President shaking hands with a man in a black-and-white striped traditional smock, an encounter in the video JoyNews believes was captured and then manipulated.
The denim jacket, jeans, and colourful sneakers in the viral image were digitally added using AI tools.
No Official Record Supports the Claim
Further checks by JoyNews show there is no verified photograph, video, or credible media report showing the president wearing the FTY sneakers and denim outfit during any official engagement. The President, since the sneakers were presented to him on Saturday, has not been to the Tamale airport. The manipulated image also has not been shared by the presidency or government sources.
Verdict
False. JoyNews Investigations confirms the viral image of President Mahama in FTY sneakers and a denim jacket is AI-generated and misleading. It was edited from Ghhypher’s original video of his arrival aboard the GHF-550 Ghana Air Force Airbus C-295 at Tamale Airport on May 1, 2025.
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