7 OCTOBER 2026
By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for Ghanaian News Canada
The family of Senior Nursing Officer Salomey Awiti Baffoe says relief has replaced weeks of anxiety following her release from police custody on GH¢100,000 bail in the ongoing ‘Ghana Jollof’ case.
The 40-year-old mother of three was reunited with her relatives after being arrested at her residence in Hansua near Techiman in September.
Her uncle, Kojo Asiedu, said the family was particularly relieved to see her back home but remained concerned about her health and planned to arrange a medical assessment.
“We are still afraid of her health situation, so we will hand her over to medical specialists for them to check on her health for us so we can know if she’s very well and her health situation is also stable,” he said.
Asiedu said the emotional impact of Salomey’s absence had been significant, particularly for her children and mother.
“It was more than a Christmas celebration, we are very happy. When her children saw her, and how they reacted, it was very sad. It’s been a while since they saw their mother and they welcomed her with happiness,” he said.
He also disclosed that Salomey’s mother had stopped eating during the period her daughter was away but resumed after seeing her return home.
The family has meanwhile raised questions about the circumstances of Salomey’s arrest. Asiedu said relatives initially feared she had been kidnapped because they did not know where she had been taken.
“We are very much afraid. Initially, we thought armed robbers had come to kidnap our daughter, so we lost hope until the media did their own investigations and found out where she was being kept,” he said.
He appealed for greater adherence to proper arrest procedures, arguing that unclear methods of taking suspects into custody could create security risks and potentially be exploited by criminals pretending to be security officers.
“It may even lead to bad people using this approach to commit crimes, so we plead with the government if they can stop this.”
Asiedu also expressed gratitude to the media for helping the family establish Salomey’s whereabouts and following the case through to her release.
Salomey has been charged with abetment of crime, to wit, publication of false news and has pleaded not guilty. Police allege that she acted as a liaison for Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as ‘Ghana Jollof’, and helped recruit people to redistribute videos produced by Kodua on social media.
Those allegations have not been established in court, and Salomey remains presumed innocent as the case continues.
MAIN QUOTE
“We are very much afraid. Initially, we thought armed robbers had come to kidnap our daughter, so we lost hope until the media did their own investigations and found out where she was being kept.”
COMMENTARY
Salomey’s release has brought immediate relief to her family, but two issues remain important: her health following detention and questions about the circumstances of her arrest. While the criminal allegations against her must be determined through due process, concerns about arrest procedures also deserve appropriate attention so that lawful enforcement does not create unnecessary fear or uncertainty for families.
