Jema Residents Protest Arrest of Techiman Nurse Linked to ‘Ghana Jollof’, Demand Her Release

Residents and traditional authorities in Jema in the Kintampo South District of the Bono East Region have staged a protest over the arrest and remand of Senior Nursing Officer Salomey Awity Baffoe, demanding her immediate release.

The residents, clad in red and black, expressed deep concern over the continued detention of the 40-year-old mother of three, describing her as a God-fearing and peaceful person who, according to them, has never engaged in violent confrontations or deliberately insulted anyone.

They said Salomey’s arrest has left the community devastated, with residents and family members struggling to come to terms with the development.

The protesters also appealed to President John Dramani Mahama, through his wife, Lordina Mahama, to show clemency and ensure that Salomey is granted bail while investigations continue.

According to the residents and Nananom, Salomey has no connection with the social media account known as ‘Ghana Jollof’ and does not even know the person behind it.

They further argued that Salomey, who has children to care for, should be granted bail to enable her to reunite with her family while the authorities pursue their investigations.

“Nananom” also questioned how Salomey could be linked to any alleged plot, insisting that she is not capable of conniving with anyone to stage a coup.

They urged the authorities to ensure that any arrests are conducted without political considerations, stressing that the law must be applied fairly.

Salomey Awity Baffoe, a Senior Nursing Officer, was reportedly arrested in connection with investigations into individuals allegedly linked to the TikTok account ‘Ghana Jollof’, which has been critical of government officials.

The Adenta Circuit Court 1 has remanded her for two weeks.

Her lawyer and Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has questioned the basis for her continued detention, arguing that authorities told the court that the person allegedly behind the ‘Ghana Jollof’ account is currently in the United Kingdom.

“Because you want to arrest Ghana Jollof, you have remanded her for two weeks. Meanwhile, you told the court that Ghana Jollof is in the UK,” he said.

The case has attracted public attention following reports that Salomey, a 40-year-old mother of three from Hansua in the Techiman Municipality, was taken from her home around 11:30 p.m. on September 13 by three individuals who identified themselves as National Security operatives.

Her family reportedly struggled to establish her whereabouts after the incident, while the Bono East Regional Police Command and Regional National Security officials were reportedly said to have had no record of the operation at the time.

The residents are now calling on the relevant authorities to consider their plea and grant Salomey bail as investigations into the matter continue.