A group of women gathered at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Tuesday, September 29, to demand the immediate release of Salomey Awitey Baffoe. The women expressed concern over the length of her detention and urged the relevant authorities to take immediate steps to ensure that she receives a fair hearing and that her case is handled transparently and in accordance with the law.
Salomey Awitey Baffoe, 40, was arrested at her home in Hansua in the Techiman Municipality of the Bono East Region on September 13. She has been charged with abetment of crime over her alleged publication and circulation of false news on social media. The prosecution alleges that she 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 court declined to grant Baffoe bail and remanded her in custody for two weeks. She 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 case has sparked controversy, with many calling for her release.
The gathering at EOCO saw the women chanting “John Mahama, free Salomey!” and “We are tired of John!” The demonstration highlights the public's concern over Baffoe's detention and the potential implications for freedom of speech in Ghana. The issue has also attracted the attention of prominent figures, including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Dr. Bawumia has spoken out on issues concerning freedom of speech, noting 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.
In an official statement, Dr. Bawumia noted 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 called on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue prosecutions purportedly undertaken on his behalf and to release individuals arrested for speech.
The controversy surrounding Baffoe's detention comes as President John Dramani Mahama is expected to give his assent to the recently passed Tribunals Bill, 2026. The bill seeks to address the lacuna in the legal framework of Ghana regarding tribunals. Dr. Bawumia has added his voice to the many cautioning against the bill, highlighting concerns about its potential implications for freedom of speech and the country's democracy.
Key points
- The women gathered at EOCO to demand the release of Salomey Awitey Baffoe, charged with abetment of crime over alleged publication of false news on social media.
- Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has spoken out on issues concerning freedom of speech, emphasizing that Ghana’s democracy can only be strengthened when citizens are free to express themselves without fear of arrest or prosecution for their speech.
- The Tribunals Bill, 2026, has sparked controversy, with many cautioning against its potential implications for freedom of speech and the country's democracy.
