Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Condemns Arrest of Techiman Nurse Linked to ‘Ghana Jollof’ TikTok Account

The arrest and two-week remand of Salomey Awiti Bafoh, a Techiman-based senior nursing officer, has sparked a national debate over the boundaries of free speech and national security in Ghana. Bafoh was apprehended by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on September 17, 2026, for allegedly aiding the 'Ghana Jollof' TikTok account, which the police claim disseminated false news and inciteful content. The account, reportedly operated by UK-resident Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, published claims regarding an imminent coup d'état at the Jubilee House. Following her initial appearance, the Adenta Circuit Court remanded Bafoh into custody until September 30, 2026.

During a detailed press briefing, CID Director-General COP Lydia Yaako Donkor revealed that forensic investigations uncovered significant financial transactions linking Bafoh to the account's operations. The police allege that 'highly influential persons' sponsored these digital activities by transferring funds via mobile money to Bafoh, who then distributed the money to facilitate the viral spread of provocative videos. While the government, represented by Minister of State Felix Kwakye Ofosu, maintains that the state can tolerate criticism but must act against statements that incite violence, the CID continues to track additional accomplices and high-profile financiers involved in the network.

The case has drawn sharp criticism from New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who described the detention as 'very worrying' and inconsistent with Ghana's democratic aspirations. Dr. Bawumia argued that intelligence agencies should not be used to 'chase' citizens for political comments or insults directed at the presidency, emphasizing that free speech is a fundamental pillar of democracy. He has called for the nurse's immediate release, a sentiment echoed by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), which argues that Bafoh, a mother of three with stable employment, is not a flight risk and should have been granted bail.

Beyond the political friction, legal experts and community groups have raised alarms regarding the procedural handling of the case. Bafoh’s lawyer, Enoch Afuakwa, has challenged the remand, citing a breach of the constitutional 48-hour rule and questioning the jurisdiction of the Adenta court for an accused resident of Techiman. Meanwhile, residents and chiefs in Jema have staged protests demanding her release, while legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has advocated for a broader national dialogue. Kpebu suggests that while the 'Ghana Jollof' case highlights a toxic political culture, legal prosecutions alone will not resolve the issue of abusive rhetoric in Ghana’s public discourse.