Hundreds of women across Ghana took to the streets in a demonstration dubbed "Women's Voices Matter" on September 29, 2026, to demand the immediate release of Salomey Baffoe, a Senior Nursing Officer. The protesters, who converged at the AMA Park before marching to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), gave President John Dramani Mahama 24 hours to ensure her release. They alleged that Salomey has been detained by the government without her family's knowledge of her whereabouts.
Emotions ran high during the protest as one woman broke down in tears, appealing to the First Lady and the Vice President to intervene and secure Salomey's release so she could return home to care for her children. The women, clad in red and black, marched through major streets within the business district with placards that read "Madam Veep, Speak up against the abuse of women!", "Don't abuse people's rights because your wife is hurt", and "Let our women breathe without fear", among others.
A convener of the protest, Akosua Manu, rejected allegations linking Salomey Awiti Baffoe to the anonymous TikToker Ghana Jollof, stating that the evidence presented is insufficient. She argued that remand is being misused as a punitive measure, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for Ghana's political culture and undermines fair justice. Akosua Amoabeng, another convener, said, "They drove her nine hours to Accra without her family knowing where she was. Today, Salomey is still in the grips of the Police."
Salomey Awity Baffoe was arrested and remanded over allegations that she helped circulate videos from the critical anti-government TikTok account "Ghana Jollof". She was picked up at 11:30 p.m. on September 13, 2026, from her home in Hansua by men identifying as National Security operatives. Her family initially could not locate her. The Director-General of the CID, Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, stated that the actual creator of the "Ghana Jollof" account is Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, who is based in the United Kingdom.
Nurse Salomey is accused of acting as a local liaison who recruited people to spread and redistribute the controversial videos on social media. She faces a provisional charge of abetment of crime. Her lawyer, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, and other legal practitioners like Martin Kpebu criticised the detention, arguing it makes little sense to hold the nurse when authorities admitted the main suspect is overseas. A bail application filed with the High Court in Accra was dismissed, keeping her in custody amid a growing public debate over free speech.
Groups such as the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) engaged police to check on her safety, confirming she was unharmed while in custody. Civil society figures, activists like Oliver Barker-Vormawor, and various online groups have also raised concerns over midnight arrests, free speech, and the application of cyber laws to content sharing. Akosua Manu handed over a petition to the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, calling on the Ministry to live up to its mandate.
The protesters also called for the implementation of the Affirmative Action Bill — 30% representation as was promised by the President. They demanded that the government speak against the unlawful detention of women and assure Ghanaian women that this will end. The demonstration highlights the concerns of Ghanaian women over issues of justice, equality, and free speech, and the need for the government to address these issues urgently.
Key points
- The protest was staged to demand the release of Salomey Baffoe, a nurse detained over alleged links to a critical TikTok account.
- The protesters accused the government of misusing remand as a punitive measure and undermining fair justice.
- The demonstration highlights concerns over issues of justice, equality, and free speech in Ghana.
