Claim: “Reports say Pro-Temp Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence suffered a massively severe stroke.”
Source: Gedehhard GHT Talkfm
Verdict: False; Karnga-Lawrence is not having a stroke. Although she is unwell.
Full Text: Gedehhard GHT Talkfm, an online news platform, reported on October 31, 2024, that President Pro-Tempore Karnga-Lawrence has experienced significant health challenges: stroke.
The news platform said “GHT DDD Reports that the Senate Pro Tempore at the Liberia Senate Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence has suffered a massively severe stroke. According to our sources, doctors attending to her said, “nobody should move her from where she’s laying”. The Government and family are making frantic efforts to get her Medicvac (special flight) from the USA equipped with doctors and everything to get her out. We offer prayers for her as our sources said her condition is very terrible.“
At the time of checking, the post had 53 reactions, 104 comments, and 27 shares.
Karnga-Lawrence is a two-term Senator of Grand Bassa County in the Legislature and the President Pro Tempore of the 55th Liberian Senate.
Verification: We contacted Henry Karmo, Public Relations Officer in the office of the Pro-Temp, to verify the claim, as Senator Lawrence did not initially respond to our WhatsApp message. Karmo responded by saying
“Pro Tempore is okay. She just needs bed rest. She is currently home,” Karmo said.
After hours, Senator Karnga-Lawrence responded that she wasn’t feeling well on the night of October 30, 2024; as a result, she decided to visit the hospital for a check-up.
She told TSM that her health is currently stable, and the doctor has conducted all the necessary routines. Good evening, “They have done all the necessary routines and are making sure that I get some rest,” she said.
On October 31, 2024, her official Facebook page published this.
We also saw a post from her special assistant debunking the claim but confirming that she is unwell.
Conclusion: Based on our research, TSM has determined that Gedehhard GHT Talkfm’s post about Senator Karnga-Lawrence suffering a massively severe stroke and requiring immediate medical care aboard is misleading.
