‘No one will be chased over insults under my presidency’ – Bawumia condemns Salomey’s arrest

Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has criticised the arrest and remand of Techiman-based nurse and mother of three, Salomey Bafor Awiti, in connection with an alleged case involving the publication and circulation of false news.

Dr Bawumia said the reported circumstances surrounding the nurse’s arrest and subsequent remand raise concerns about the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in Ghana.

In a social media post on Friday, September 18, he said it was worrying that the nurse was reportedly picked up at night by persons identified as national security operatives and subsequently remanded for two weeks.

“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 case follows investigations into the anonymous social media account known as “Ghana Jollof”, which has published content critical of government officials.

Salomey Bafor Awiti, a 40-year-old senior nursing officer, was arrested at her residence in Hansua in the Techiman Municipality and later appeared before the Adenta Circuit Court.

The court remanded her for two weeks after she pleaded not guilty to allegations relating to the publication and circulation of false news. The prosecution alleges that she aided and abetted UK-based Ghanaian Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, also known as “Ghana Jollof”, in disseminating content through social media.

Barbara Asantewaa Kodua has subsequently been declared wanted by the police in connection with the investigation. Reports indicate that she is believed to be in the United Kingdom.

The defence has challenged the circumstances of Salomey’s detention. Her lawyer, Enoch Afuakwa, argued that she was held for several days before being brought before a court, which he said raised constitutional concerns about the 48-hour limit on detention without a court appearance.

Dr Bawumia said he has consistently opposed the use of insults in political discourse and urged political actors and citizens to engage one another respectfully.

“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.

He nevertheless argued that enforcement of the law should not undermine freedom of expression.

“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 sometimes be, is the foundation of our democracy,” he added.

The NPP flagbearer also questioned what he described as the selective application of laws, arguing that similar conduct should attract equal treatment regardless of the political status of the person targeted.

“Even more worrying is the government’s continuous selective applications 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 said.

The allegations against Salomey remain before the court, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.