New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has condemned the arrest and two-week remand of Techiman-based senior nursing officer Salomey Awiti Bafoh, saying intelligence agencies must not be used to pursue citizens over political insults.
Dr Bawumia said the reported circumstances surrounding the arrest of the mother of three were worrying and called for her release.
The nurse was arrested at her home in Hansua, near Techiman, on September 13 and later remanded by the Adenta Circuit Court over allegations that she abetted the publication of false news linked to the anonymous “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account. Police allege she acted as a liaison for Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, whom authorities have identified as the person behind the account.
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In a statement on Friday, September 18, Dr Bawumia said the development was inconsistent with the Ghana he wants to see.
“This is not the Ghana we want to build. I can assure Ghanaians that when given the opportunity, our intelligence agencies will not be reduced to chasing citizens for insulting the President or anyone else,” he said.
The former Vice President said he does not support insults in political discourse and would continue to encourage political actors to maintain decorum.
However, he argued that criminalising political expression could undermine democratic freedoms.
“The ideas we need to transform our nation won’t come from insults,” Dr Bawumia said, while stressing that freedom of speech remains a foundation of Ghana’s democracy.
He also accused the government of selectively applying the law, alleging that some citizens can make insulting comments without facing legal consequences while others are arrested depending on the political target of their comments.
“Some citizens can insult and walk freely, and others are jailed because the government doesn’t like the target of their insults,” he stated.
Dr Bawumia called for the release of Salomey Awiti Bafoh and others, he said, who had been similarly charged and detained.
The NPP has separately questioned the circumstances surrounding Awiti Bafoh’s detention, including the amended allegation against her and the basis for her continued remand.