Hawa Koomson calls for release of nurse remanded over alleged 'Ghana Jollof' links

Aspiring New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Women’s Organiser, Hawa Koomson, has called for the release of nurse Salomey Awity Baffoe, who has been remanded over alleged links to the anonymous TikTok account, “Ghana Jollof”.

Baffoe, a senior nursing officer at Abrafi Women and Children’s Hospital in Techiman, was reportedly taken from her home at Hansua, near Techiman, around midnight on Sunday, September 13, by three people who identified themselves as National Security operatives, according to her family.

The family has denied that Baffoe is behind the account, which has been critical of President John Dramani Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama.

Baffoe was subsequently brought before the Adenta Circuit Court and remanded for two weeks over allegations linked to the account.

In a statement issued on Thursday, September 17, Hawah Koomson criticised the reported manner of Baffoe’s arrest and called for her to be granted bail.

“I'm not asking that anyone be placed above the law. If the state has evidence, let it bring that evidence openly and fairly. But suspicion is not evidence, and a mother's freedom must not be gambled away in the hunt for an anonymous account,” she said.

Koomson also appealed to President Mahama to direct the relevant security agencies to grant Baffoe bail while investigations continue and explain why she was allegedly held beyond the constitutionally prescribed period.

She further called for Baffoe’s family and lawyers to be given full and regular access to her and urged an end to what she described as night-time arrests of women and the circulation of their photographs based on suspicion.

“I therefore appeal to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, as father of this nation, to direct the Minister for National Security, the National Security Coordinator, the Director-General of the National Investigations Bureau and the Inspector-General of Police to let Salomey be granted bail, so she can go home to her children while investigations continue,” she said.

The former Awutu Senya East MP further expressed gratitude to the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association for supporting Baffoe and expressed solidarity with her husband, mother and children.