In what many have described as a calculated attempt to mislead and provoke, Ghanaian-American political commentator Kevin Taylor has come under fire for sharing a doctored image falsely claiming to show former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia drinking alcohol in a private setting.

The photo, shared on Taylor’s With All Due Respect Facebook page, shows a man resembling the former Vice President seated with bottles of whisky and wine — a clear attempt to incite public moral outrage, especially among conservative and Muslim constituents.

Accompanying the image was a caption laced with mockery, where Taylor suggested it was no big deal for Bawumia to be “sipping exotic whisky” and even extended an invitation to drink together in Washington, D.C., declaring, “Life is short. Nipa nso ye dien?”

The post came with a sarcastic caption urging Bawumia to “enjoy some good whisky” when next in Washington D.C., followed by laughter emojis and a cynical declaration: “There’s life beyond politics.”

However, swift responses from political analysts, party supporters, and fact-checkers have confirmed the image is manipulated.

The individual in the photograph does not match the facial structure, build, or known public lifestyle of the Vice President.

Many have described the image as a crude attempt to inflame public sentiment and distract from substantive national issues.

Speaking on the matter, Dr. Mustapha Hamid, former CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and a known associate of Dr. Bawumia, condemned the smear campaign and highlighted what he called a disturbing pattern in Kevin Taylor’s media conduct.

“After the fake medical doctor episode, one would expect him to slow down. But no, his career is built on defaming others. This latest attempt is just another desperate act from someone clearly committed to wrecking reputations for a living,” he said.

Dr. Hamid also pointed to the irony of Taylor’s father being in court recently over a defamation case, despite his son’s notoriety for similar offenses.

“Kevin’s father claims to be a victim of defamation while his own son profits from destroying people’s reputations. The hypocrisy is appalling.”

The viral post has been met with public backlash from sections of the population who have called out not only Taylor but also those amplifying the misinformation through shares, likes, and comments.

“That is not even Dr. Bawumia’s house, that is not him,” one user wrote under the post. “Shame on those who find humor in lies.”