University of Ghana political science lecturer, Dr Joshua Ebuntie Zaato, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to take an interest in developments surrounding the “Ghana Jollof” case, warning that the handling of the matter could have implications for his presidency and legacy.
Dr Zaato said the arrest and two-week remand of senior nursing officer Salomey Awity Baffoe had generated questions that warranted attention at the highest level of government.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, September 19, 2026, he questioned whether President Mahama had been briefed on the case.
“When you sit down, and you hear this whole thing, this woman arrested, put before court, and is currently jailed for two weeks. One question I ask myself: does the President know about this? Is President Mahama aware that this is happening?” he asked.
Dr Zaato said he found it difficult to believe that the President would knowingly allow the situation to continue without taking an interest in it.
“I want to believe, in all honesty, since you’re sitting here, the President doesn’t know these things,” he said.
He subsequently called on the President to pay attention to developments within the case, arguing that actions taken by institutions under his administration could ultimately shape public perceptions of his presidency.
“If he doesn’t, I want to wake him up this morning and tell him, Mr President, there are men and women that are tarnishing your image,” Dr Zaato said.
“Your presidency should and ought to be a legacy-defining one. But there are men and women who are working seriously and assiduously to tarnish that one. Wake up before it is too late, Your Excellency, if you do not want to,” he added.
The comments follow the remand of Ms Baffoe by the Adenta Circuit Court 1 on a charge of abetment of crime, to wit, publication of false news. She pleaded not guilty and is expected to reappear before the court on September 30, 2026.
The Police allege that Ms Baffoe assisted Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, identified by investigators as the operator of the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account and believed to be in the United Kingdom, to disseminate videos and recruit others to redistribute the content.
According to the Police, forensic examination of Ms Baffoe’s phone, audio and video files, together with mobile money records, uncovered alleged financial links between her and Ms Kodua.
Investigations into the matter are continuing.
