Salomey Awiti Bafoh: Ghana Jollof Charge for False News Abetment

• Salomey Awiti Bafoh, a 40-year-old senior nursing officer, was arrested on September 13 in Hansua, near Techiman.
• She faces charges of abetment of crime and alleged publication of false news under Sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
• Ms. Bafoh pleaded not guilty at the Adentan Circuit Court but was denied bail and remanded for two weeks, with her case adjourned to September 30.
• The case is linked to the controversial "Ghana Jollof" TikTok account and has sparked a national debate on free speech.
• JoyNews' Newsfile program will discuss the Ghana Jollof nurse case and the free speech debate on Saturday, September 19, 2026.

The charges against Salomey Awiti Bafoh center on the alleged abetment of crime, specifically concerning the publication and circulation of false news.

A 40-year-old senior nursing officer, Salomey Awiti Bafoh, has been arrested and subsequently remanded in connection with alleged links to the controversial "Ghana Jollof" TikTok account. The arrest of Ms. Bafoh took place on September 13 at her residence in Hansua, located near Techiman, initiating a legal process that has drawn significant public attention.

Following her arrest, Ms. Bafoh was brought before the Adentan Circuit Court. During her appearance, she entered a plea of not guilty to the charges leveled against her. Despite her plea, the court denied her bail application and ordered her remand for a period of two weeks. The case has since been adjourned, with the next hearing scheduled for September 30.

The charges against Salomey Awiti Bafoh center on the alleged abetment of crime, specifically concerning the publication and circulation of false news. This legal action is being pursued under the provisions of Sections 20(1) and 208 of Ghana's Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). These sections address offenses related to aiding or encouraging criminal acts and the dissemination of information deemed false, respectively.

The application of these particular sections of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 Section 208 in the context of online content, such as that associated with the "Ghana Jollof" TikTok account, underscores the legal risks individuals face regarding their digital expressions in Ghana. The Salomey Awiti Bafoh Ghana Jollof charge highlights the state's readiness to prosecute alleged false news, even when it involves an alleged abetment of crime Ghana rather than direct authorship.

The Adentan Circuit Court remand of Salomey Awiti Bafoh has ignited a broader discussion surrounding Ghana social media free speech and the boundaries of online expression. This case, involving a Ghana Jollof nurse false news allegation, is poised to become a focal point for national debate.

JoyNews' flagship current affairs program, Newsfile, is scheduled to delve into the intricacies of the Ghana Jollof nurse case. Hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini, the program will air on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. It will be broadcast across multiple platforms, including Joy 99.7 FM and JoyNews, providing a significant platform for examining the legal and societal ramifications of the Salomey Awiti Bafoh arrest and the ongoing free speech debate.

This case highlights the legal risks associated with online expression in Ghana, particularly the application of 'false news' charges under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). Lawyers should advise clients on potential liabilities for social media content and monitor the evolving interpretation of free speech in relation to such charges.

Source: Original reporting via JoyNews