RANA warns Salomey Bafoh case threatens free speech protection in Ghana
RANA warns arrest of nursing officer risks chilling effect on free expression as court handles the Ghana Jollof case.
A civil society group called Rights Accountability Network Africa has warned that the arrest and prosecution of senior nursing officer Salomey Awiti Bafoh is sending a dangerous signal about free speech in Ghana. The organisation says the case could discourage ordinary Ghanaians from speaking truth to power about national issues. Bafoh was taken into custody in September after police linked her to the TikTok account known as "Ghana Jollof" where videos with political content were posted. She now faces charges of helping spread false information online and denies any wrongdoing. A high court rejected her request for bail emphasizing the need to protect ongoing investigations. RANA notes that when government powers are used to arrest people for speaking their minds even about fair and transparent matters ordinary citizens lose confidence that their voices will be protected by law.
The group stresses that constitutional freedom does not shield every act but it does guard the right to criticize leaders and discuss public affairs openly without fear of disproportionate legal punishments. They argue that how state investigators handle speech related cases matters as much as whether they ultimately prove guilt. The indictment stems from alleged links between Bafoh and the popular TikTok personality who shares short cooking videos under the name "Ghana Jollof". Police claim this activity involved financial exchanges and breaches of national security apparatus laws. A High Court judge ordered Ghanaian investigative agencies to complete their work without delay.
RANA says the real danger lies not in the eventual outcome but in the process itself when arrests occur under opaque conditions and prolonged trials create uncertainty for public figures. Their concern focuses on how such actions shape the atmosphere where people debate politics or challenge official stories. The case tests whether Ghana can keep its constitutional promise of free expression when state mechanisms appear to target those who question official narratives online.
BY Nana Abrokwa - September 12, 2024
