Akosua Manu, Advisor on Gender and Social Protection to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has cautioned that arrests and investigations targeting suspected government critics may not necessarily stop criticism, arguing that such actions could instead encourage the emergence of more anonymous commentators.
Her comments were directed at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in connection with investigations surrounding the anonymous social media commentator known as “Ghana Jollof.”
Akosua Manu Questions Approach to Ghana Jollof Investigation
According to reports, Akosua Manu has urged the CID Director-General, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, to reconsider the approach being used in the search for the person behind the “Ghana Jollof” account.
She argued that repeatedly arresting or investigating people suspected of being connected to the account could have unintended consequences.
“You are looking for one ‘Ghana Jollof’, continue harassing women on suspicion and you may create twenty more.”
She further argued that fear would not necessarily stop people from criticising governments, saying it could instead encourage some critics to become more anonymous.
Concerns Over Treatment of Women
Akosua Manu also raised concerns about the treatment of women who have been linked to the investigation.
Her comments followed the reported arrest and subsequent court proceedings involving Senior Nursing Officer Salomey Awity Baffoe, who was remanded for two weeks over allegations that she operates the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account.
Earlier, NPP social media activist Efya Royal was also arrested over allegations that she shared content originally published by the account and was later granted police enquiry bail, according to the report.
Call for Due Process and Legal Protection
Akosua Manu called for the rights of individuals involved in the investigation to be respected, while urging the CID leadership to carefully consider the wider consequences of its approach.
She particularly appealed for women not to become “collateral damage” in efforts to identify the anonymous commentator.
The case has also attracted attention from women’s rights advocates, with NETRIGHT calling for greater transparency over the remand of Salomey Awity Baffoe.
Debate Over Government Criticism and Free Expression
The controversy has renewed public discussion about the balance between law-enforcement investigations and the rights of individuals to express political opinions and criticize governments.
Authorities have the responsibility to investigate suspected offences, while individuals under investigation remain entitled to due process and legal protections.
The investigation into the “Ghana Jollof” account therefore continues to generate debate over accountability, digital expression, and the treatment of people suspected of operating or supporting anonymous social-media platforms.