If “Ghana Jollof” is in UK, why is Salomey in custody? – Free-speech debate deepens
The declaration of social media commentator Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as “Ghana Jollof”, as wanted, while another commentator Salomey Anti-Bafoh remains in custody, has sparked a heated national debate on free speech.
According to reports, Ghana Jollof, who is believed to be in the United Kingdom, has been declared wanted by police in connection with alleged false publications.
In contrast, nurse Salomey Anti-Bafoh was arrested and detained in Ghana for a related offence, prompting questions about selective justice.
Critics, including Akosua Manu, have cautioned the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, not to allow herself to be used as a weapon against women.
The development comes amid a wider crackdown on social media commentators, including Kwame Nkrumah II and Ghana Jollof, which press freedom advocates say is shrinking civic space.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) have insisted that censorship is not the solution to disinformation.
Charge Sheet Details How “Ghana Jollof” Allegedly Funded Local Network to Spread Inciteful Videos
The charge sheet in the case involving social media commentator Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as BAK @ Ghana Jollof, has revealed details of her alleged operations from the United Kingdom.
According to the brief facts signed by PW/INSPR Naomi Aklasu, and sighted by this portal, the case has two accused persons.
The 1st Accused, Salomey Awiti Bafoh, is described as a nurse residing in Techiman. The 2nd Accused, Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, operates a TikTok account under the name BAK @ Ghana Jollof and is presently domiciled in the United Kingdom.
The Allegations
Per the facts, over a period of time, the 2nd Accused used her social-media platform to produce and publish videos containing offensive and inciting statements with the potential to provoke violence.
In one of the videos under investigation, the 2nd Accused threatened to overthrow the Government of Ghana and that she would burn Ghana, amongst other things.
Collaboration and Funding
Investigations subsequently identified Salomey Awiti Bafoh as a collaborator of Ghana Jollof.
It has been established through investigations that the 1st Accused assisted in the dissemination of the videos produced by the 2nd Accused by recruiting other persons to redistribute and circulate the material through various social-media platforms.
Investigations further revealed a financial arrangement between the two, whereby the 2nd Accused, while domiciled in the United Kingdom, remitted monies to the 1st Accused in Ghana in support of these activities.
The 1st Accused subsequently distributed portions of those funds to other persons involved in the redistribution and recirculation of videos produced by the 2nd Accused.
Police say investigations are continuing to identify and locate other persons who participated in the redistribution of the videos.
Salomey Awiti Bafoh is currently in custody, while Barbara Asantewaa Kodua is believed to be outside the jurisdiction.
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