The Ghana Police Service has arrested a Techiman-based nurse for allegedly helping to distribute and amplify social media videos produced by TikTok account operator Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as “Ghana Jollof.”
The suspect, Salomey Awiti Bafoh, was arrested on September 17, 2026, following a joint operation by the Ghana Police Service and the National Signals Bureau.
Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), COP Ms Lydia Yaako Donkor, disclosed this at a press briefing at the CID Headquarters in Accra on Friday, September 18, 2026.
COP Ms Donkor said Bafoh had been identified through police investigations as an individual allegedly aiding and abetting Kodua in the production’s dissemination, particularly by recruiting others to circulate the videos on different social media platforms.
“Investigation identified Salomey Awiti Bafoh, a nurse residing at Techiman, as an individual aiding and abetting Barbara Asantewaa Kodua @ Ghana Jollof,” COP Ms Donkor said.
She said investigations had established that Bafoh and Kodua were friends, with police obtaining audio interviews in which the relationship between the two was allegedly admitted.
According to COP Ms Donkor, forensic examinations of audio and video files recovered from mobile devices in police custody, together with mobile money transaction records, had provided investigators with information about the alleged activities of the two women.
She said investigators had also uncovered financial arrangements between Kodua, who is believed to be domiciled in the United Kingdom, and Bafoh in Ghana.
COP Ms Donkor said Kodua allegedly remitted money to Bafoh to support the activities, while Bafoh allegedly distributed portions of the funds to other individuals involved in redistributing and recirculating the videos.
The CID Director-General said the investigation was not limited to the two suspects, indicating that police were working to identify other individuals allegedly involved in the redistribution network.
She said police had also obtained information pointing to the involvement of individuals, including high-profile persons, who allegedly provided financial support for the online activities.
COP Ms Donkor said forensic analysis of voices and other information retrieved from Bafoh’s devices had provided further evidence which investigators intend to rely on in court.
She said transcripts of the retrieved material would be tendered in evidence as the case progresses.
Bafoh was subsequently put before the court on a charge of abetment of crime, to wit, publication of false news.
COP Ms Donkor said the court remanded her into police custody to assist with investigations and directed that she reappear on September 30, 2026.
The investigation centres on the activities of the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account, which police say had been used to publish what they consider offensive and inciteful comments as well as false news likely to cause fear and alarm.
COP Ms Donkor said one of the videos under investigation contained an alleged false claim by Kodua that there had been a near coup d’état at Jubilee House.
She said investigations were continuing to identify and locate other persons who allegedly participated in the redistribution of the videos, as well as individuals suspected of financially sponsoring the activities.
COP Ms Donkor urged members of the public to exercise caution in their online engagements, reminding them that publications and conduct contrary to the Electronic Transactions Act, 2008 (Act 772), and the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), could constitute criminal offences.
She said the Police Service would continue working with relevant stakeholders and the public to maintain security and law and order both offline and online.
COP Ms Donkor said the update was also part of the Police Service’s commitment to transparency and accountability by keeping the public informed about ongoing investigations.
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