New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has condemned the arrest and two-week remand of nurse and mother of three, Salomey Bafor Awiti, in connection with investigations into the alleged publication of false news.
In a social media post on Friday, September 18, 2026, Dr Bawumia described the circumstances surrounding Salomey’s arrest as worrying, particularly reports that she was picked up in the middle of the night by national intelligence officers.
“The story of how a Techiman-based nurse and mother of 3 (including a 4-year-old), Salomey Bafoh Awiti, was picked up in the middle of the night by national intelligence officers and has been remanded for two weeks on suspicion that she is abetting the publication of false news is very worrying to read,” he wrote.
Salomey was reportedly linked to the anonymous TikTok account known as “Ghana Jollof”, which has attracted attention for its strong criticism of President John Dramani Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama.
Reports on September 17 indicated that the Adenta Circuit Court 1 had remanded Salomey for two weeks as investigations into the account continued.
Dr Bawumia said the case raises concerns about the protection of freedom of speech and the manner in which laws are applied.
“This is not the Ghana we want to build,” he said, adding that intelligence agencies should not be used to pursue citizens over insults directed at the President or other individuals.
He stressed that while he does not support political insults, restrictions on free expression should not undermine Ghana’s democratic principles.
“I have always disavowed a politics of insults and will remind all in the political space of the need to be decorous. The ideas we need to transform our nation won’t come from insults,” he said.
“But I also remind the NDC government that any infringement on the right to free speech pushes our democracy backwards. Free speech, as unpalatable as it may be sometimes, is the foundation of our democracy.”
Dr Bawumia also accused the government of applying the law selectively, arguing that some people are able to make insulting comments without facing similar consequences.
“Even more worrying, is the government’s continuous selective application of our laws. Some citizens can insult and walk freely and others are jailed because the government doesn’t like the target of their insults,” he stated.
He called for Salomey and others facing similar charges to be released.
“Please release Salomey Bafoh Awiti and others who have been similarly charged and jailed,” Dr Bawumia said.
The case has also brought attention to Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, a Ghanaian nurse based in London, who was later declared wanted after being identified as the alleged operator of the “Ghana Jollof” account.
