Omanghana
The arrest and two-week remand of Senior Nursing Officer Salomey Awity Baffoe have attracted public attention and prompted the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) to intervene in the case.
Baffoe, a 40-year-old mother of three, works at the Abrafi Women and Children’s Hospital in Techiman. She was reportedly taken from her home at Hansua at about 11:30 p.m. on September 13 by individuals who identified themselves as National Security operatives.
Her family reportedly experienced difficulty locating her after the operation, raising concerns about her safety and the circumstances under which she was detained. She was later brought before Adenta Circuit Court 1 and remanded in custody for two weeks.
The case is connected to investigations into the identity of the person operating “Ghana Jollof,” an anonymous TikTok account known for publishing content critical of government officials.
Authorities have alleged that Baffoe has links to the account. Her family and legal representatives have, however, strongly rejected the allegation and maintained that she is not the individual behind the platform.
Her lead counsel, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has questioned the justification for keeping his client in custody. He argued that authorities had informed the court that the suspected operator of the account was based in the United Kingdom, creating doubts about the basis for Baffoe’s continued detention.
“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 told the media after the proceedings.
The account at the center of the investigation has also reportedly denied any connection to Baffoe. The competing claims have intensified calls for clarity about the evidence relied upon by investigators.
The GRNMA intervened after receiving information about the nurse’s detention. Acting on instructions from its president, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, the association sent a delegation to the Police Criminal Investigations Department headquarters to establish Baffoe’s location and condition.
The delegation, which included Assistant National Public Relations Officer Philimon Gyapong, reportedly received assurances from the police that Baffoe was safe and had not been harmed.
The association subsequently mobilized representatives to support her during the court proceedings and has remained in contact with her family. It said it would continue providing legal, emotional and institutional assistance as the case progresses.
The GRNMA has also appealed to nurses and midwives across the country to remain calm and allow the legal process to proceed while staying alert to further developments.
Public figures, political activists and social media users have added their voices to calls for Baffoe to be granted bail and afforded due process. Concerns have also been raised about the reported late-night operation, the initial uncertainty surrounding her location and the length of her remand.
Baffoe has not been found guilty of any offence, and the allegations against her remain subject to investigation and determination by the court.
Source: Omanghana
