STATEMENT ON THE REPORTED ABDUCTION OF WOMEN IN THE SEARCH FOR “GHANA JOLLOF
As a policy advisor on Gender and Social Protection, I am deeply disturbed by reports concerning the manner in which women are being picked up in connection with the search for the anonymous social-media commentator known as “Ghana Jollof.”
What is being reported cannot simply be normalised as “arrests.”
When individuals reportedly arrive at a woman’s home around midnight, identify themselves as security operatives, take her away, and her family is subsequently unable to establish with certainty which state institution is holding her or where she has been taken, we are confronting something far more troubling. On the facts presently available, this bears the disturbing hallmarks of an abduction and demands an immediate and credible explanation from the state.
The reported case of Salomey Awity Baffoe, a mother of three, should concern every Ghanaian irrespective of political affiliation.
According to her family, she was taken from her home around midnight by individuals who identified themselves as National Security operatives. Her family subsequently sought answers from security institutions but reportedly could not establish where she was being held. Reports further indicate that regional Police and National Security officials said they had no record of the operation.
If the state has arrested her, the state must say so. If a state agency is holding her, that agency must identify itself, disclose where she is being held, state the lawful basis for her detention and guarantee her access to her family and legal counsel.
A citizen cannot simply disappear into the custody of unidentified persons and have her family left searching from one security institution to another. That is precisely why constitutional safeguards surrounding arrest and detention exist.
This is also fundamentally a gender and social-protection issue.
Salomey is reportedly a mother of three. Behind the legal and political controversy are children who went to sleep with their mother at home and woke up without her, with the adults responsible for them unable to tell them where their mother had been taken.
Who assumes responsibility for those children when a primary caregiver is suddenly removed from the household? Who ensures their safety, care and emotional wellbeing? What safeguards exist to prevent children from becoming the unintended casualties of state enforcement actions?
Women and children cannot become collateral damage in the search for one anonymous commentator.
I am equally concerned by the circulation of photographs of women on social media accompanied by speculation about who “Ghana Jollof” might be. Suspicion is not evidence. Social-media speculation is not intelligence. And being a woman who somebody thinks might be connected to an anonymous account is certainly not sufficient basis for arbitrary deprivation of liberty.
Intelligence-led law enforcement must begin with intelligence: establish the evidence, establish a credible connection and then act within the law.
The state has every right and responsibility to investigate conduct that may constitute an offence. But state power must be exercised within constitutional limits. National security cannot become a phrase that places citizens beyond the protection of the Constitution. It brings memories of the horrible stories citizens experienced during the PNDC era which terrorized men and women who merely expressed disapproval.
These incidents also expose a wider policy gap that requires urgent attention. Ghana needs stronger gender-responsive and child-sensitive safeguards governing arrests and detention, particularly where enforcement action involves women who are primary caregivers. Security institutions must have clear procedures for safeguarding dependent children and ensuring that enforcement actions do not unnecessarily expose families to additional harm…. (1)
The New Patriotic Party will present its position paper on the proposed amendments of the 1992 constitution.
The presentation will be done to CSOs and the media tomorrow Morning.
🗳️ NUMBER 6. THE FINISHER HAS COME.
Today, I picked NUMBER 6 on the ballot for NPP National Youth Organiser.
They may call it the last number, but I say THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST. Matthew 20:16.
I am not last. I am THE CLOSER.
NUMBER 6. THE FINISHER. 🤍💙
#Number6#ChrisLlody
Yesterday, I joined Commander @ChrisLloyd___ in Winneba as he engaged Phase One delegates in the Central Region.
It was refreshing to witness the energy, enthusiasm and overwhelming support.
Chris Lloyd has the leadership, experience, vision and organisational capacity to lead our Youth Wing. He deserves the mandate to serve.
Forward Together! ✊🏾
#Chris4NYO #CommanderLloyd #ForwardTogether #ReadyToServe
Whatever is happening within the Ashanti Region NPP should become the standard for all other Regions.
Sometimes, change is good. 👏🏾
Big ups to Asanteman COKA and his executives in the Region. 🔥
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia passed through the Communications Directorate Bootcamp that brought together the 276 Communication Officers and 16 Regional Communication Directors of the NPP.
#Bawumia2028
Organizing the youth. No one does it better than him. Experience really matters in this game. Vote wisely; Vote Chris Lllyod, to organize, equip and fight for the rightful place of our great NPP Party.
#ChrisLloyd4NYO#Bawumia4President#OrganizeEquipFight. #NPP🔴⚪️🔵
WINNEBA SPOKE. 🔥
Chris Lloyd engaged Central Region delegates, TESCON, Youth Organisers and constituency executives on building a stronger Youth Wing.
The message was clear: Organise. Connect. Empower. Mobilise. Win.
FORWARD TOGETHER.
CHRIS LLOYD 4 NYO
WINNEBA SPOKE. 🔥
Chris Lloyd engaged Central Region delegates, TESCON, Youth Organisers and constituency executives on building a stronger Youth Wing.
The message was clear: Organise. Connect. Empower. Mobilise. Win.
FORWARD TOGETHER.
CHRIS LLOYD 4 NYO
CHRIS LLOYD TAKES “FORWARD TOGETHER” TO VOLTA SOUTH
Chris Lloyd engaged delegates, youth organisers and party faithfuls across the Volta South Zone, sharing his vision for a stronger, well-organised NPP Youth Wing.
LISTEN. ORGANISE. DEVELOP. CONNECT. COMMUNICATE. MOBILISE. WIN.