A statement issued by Mr Joseph Osei Oppong-Brenya, Head of ICT/Media Relations of the NEIP, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the false publication was sighted on social media and blogs alleging that the Ministry of Business Development and it’s implementing agency, National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan, issued fake cheques to beneficiaries of the NEIP business Programme in the three northern regions.

"We want to state categorically that, nowhere did NEIP nor the Ministry issue fake cheques to beneficiaries.

"In fact over 95 per cent of beneficiaries have received their funding through an account they opened with National Investment Bank (NIB),"the statement said.

It said the only time cheques were introduced was during the launch of the Presidential Business Support Programme where beneficiaries were asked to hold cheques to represent the amount they will receive and this was done just for the ceremony.

It said such false publication was an attempt by individuals with evil agenda to bring the name of the Vice President, NEIP and the Ministry into disrepute.

"We want to re-emphasize that over 95 per cent of beneficiaries have received their funding through their bank accounts and have called to confirm receiving the funding and are very happy that the support will go a long way to help their businesses, “it said.

It urged the public to disregard those malicious publications and treat it with the contempt it deserves.

The NEIP assured the public that it would continue to provide an eco-system that encourages entrepreneurship and business development in the country.