Residents and chiefs in Jema, Kintampo South District of the Bono East Region, staged a protest on Sunday to demand the release of Salomey Awiti Baffoe, a 40‑year‑old nurse from the area. The protest comes after Baffoe was arrested during a midnight operation on September 13 at her home in Hansua, Techiman Municipality.
According to Baffoe’s brother, Antwi Francis, three men and a woman in black uniforms, claiming to be National Security operatives, entered the house at about 11:30 p.m. and took his sister away without presenting a warrant or explaining the grounds for the arrest. “They didn’t show us any warrant. They didn’t state the grounds for arrest. They just told me they were taking my sister to the regional command,” Francis recounted.
Initially, the community believed the arrest was linked to alleged mobile‑money fraud. When they approached the court, they were informed that the case concerned the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account instead. The residents insist Baffoe has no connection to the account or its operator, UK‑based TikTok user Barbara Asantewaa Kodua.
Community elder James Kofi Owusu described Baffoe as respectful and well‑behaved, adding that she has never insulted anyone. He appealed to the government, the First Lady Lordina Mahama and relevant authorities for bail, assuring that she will appear in court whenever required.
Prosecution alleges Baffoe acted as a liaison for the TikTok user, helping to disseminate videos and recruit others to redistribute content across social media. She has pleaded not guilty to a charge of abetment of crime under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960. The case remains pending, and the allegations have not been proven.
The protestors emphasize that their appeal is not an interference with the judicial process but a plea for the opportunity for Baffoe to defend herself while remaining with her family. They urge authorities to clarify the circumstances of her arrest and facilitate her release on bail pending the determination of the case.
