The Adenta Circuit Court has granted bail to social media personality Salomey Awiti Baffoe, known as Salomey Baffoe, in the sum of GH¢100,000 with two sureties. The sureties must be government employees earning not less than GH¢3,000 per month. Baffoe was arrested on September 13 at her home in Hansua in the Techiman Municipality of the Bono East Region. She was charged with abetment of crime over her alleged publication and circulation of false news on social media.
Baffoe, 40, pleaded not guilty to the charge of abetment of crime in connection with the alleged publication of false news, contrary to sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The court initially declined to grant her bail and remanded her in custody for two weeks. The prosecution alleges that Baffoe worked as an intermediary for Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, known as ‘Ghana Jollof,’ and supported the circulation of her videos by engaging other individuals to share and redistribute the material.
The prosecution claims that Baffoe facilitated the circulation of videos produced by Barbara Asantewaa Kodua by serving as an intermediary and enlisting others to share the content. However, the court has yet to establish these allegations. Baffoe's case has garnered attention from various stakeholders, including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who has spoken out on issues concerning freedom of speech.
Dr. Bawumia has noted that Ghana’s democracy can only be strengthened when citizens are free to express themselves without fear of arrest or prosecution for their speech. He emphasized that those who oppose and speak freely against politicians should not face arrest or prosecution for expressing their views, as they all contribute to strengthening Ghana's democracy through open and free public discourse.
In an official statement, Dr. Bawumia clarified that he neither lodged complaints nor sanctioned the prosecution of individuals who spoke against him during his tenure as Vice President or while the NPP was in government. He believes such actions would be imprudent and contrary to democratic principles. Dr. Bawumia called on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue the prosecution of Baffoe and similar actions purportedly undertaken on his behalf.
The case is not the only one drawing attention from Dr. Bawumia. He has also cautioned President John Dramani Mahama against assenting to the recently passed Tribunals Bill, 2026, passed by Parliament. The Tribunals Bill seeks to address the lacuna in the legal framework of Ghana regarding tribunals. President Mahama is expected to give his assent in the coming days before it becomes law.
The grant of bail to Salomey Awiti Baffoe comes as a relief to her supporters, who have been advocating for her release. The case will continue to be monitored by various stakeholders, including human rights activists, who are keen on ensuring that freedom of speech is upheld in Ghana. The court's decision to grant bail to Baffoe is seen as a significant development in the case.
Key points
- The Adenta Circuit Court granted GH¢100,000 bail to Salomey Awiti Baffoe with two sureties.
- Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia emphasized the importance of freedom of speech in Ghana's democracy.
- The Tribunals Bill, 2026, passed by Parliament, seeks to address gaps in Ghana's legal framework regarding tribunals.
