Ntim Fordjour accuses gov’t of selective enforcement in ‘Ghana Jollof’ case

Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, a Member of Parliament for Assin South, has criticized the government for applying Ghana's laws on false publications selectively. This follows the arrest of senior nursing officer Salomey Awiti Bafoh, who is accused of having links to the "Ghana Jollof" TikTok account. Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, the former Deputy Minister highlighted concerns about whether the law is being applied equally across Ghana's political divide.

Bafoh, aged 40, was arrested on September 13 and appeared before the Adentan Circuit Court, pleading not guilty to a charge of abetment of crime. She was denied bail and remanded for two weeks, with the case set to be heard again on September 30. The prosecution alleges that Bafoh acted as a liaison for UK-based TikTok user Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, known as "Ghana Jollof", helping to recruit others to distribute videos by Kodua.

These allegations include the circulation of inflammatory statements that could incite violence, although they remain unproven in court.

Fordjour specifically took issue with a police press conference where a video associated with the "Ghana Jollof" account was shown. He questioned why police would highlight her activities while failing to apply the same scrutiny to other prominent online commentators. These individuals include US-based Ghanaian commentator Kevin Taylor and other unnamed individuals, who Fordjour claims have also shared potentially unlawful material.

The Assin South MP questioned the application of Section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), which governs false publications. He asked whether the law is being equally applied to those critical of the current government compared to those perceived to support it. Fordjour specifically inquired whether individuals associated with the opposition were subjected to criminal scrutiny while those seen as favorable to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) were not.

He expressed concern about the circumstances of Bafoh's arrest, describing her as a mother of four young children and questioning why she was taken from her home in the Bono East Region and brought before a court in Accra. Fordjour also raised concerns about claims that she was denied access to her lawyers during her detention. These concerns, along with the precise nature of her legal representation, require verification through relevant authorities and court proceedings.

Fordjour's central argument is that the enforcement of laws governing false publications should not depend on political affiliation. He emphasizes that people who produce or circulate content deemed offensive or unlawful should be subject to the same legal process, regardless of their political support. Fordjour calls on various influential voices, including religious leaders, professional bodies, journalists, and traditional leaders, to speak out against the perceived unequal application of the law.

He urges Ghanaians to focus on constitutional equality rather than partisan politics, asserting that the relevant principle should be fairness in enforcement, irrespective of political affiliation.