Political scientist Amakye Boateng has warned that the handling of the case involving detained nurse Salomey Awiti Baffoe could undermine public confidence in the government if state institutions fail to exercise restraint and follow due process.
Boateng said the controversy surrounding Baffoe’s arrest and the subsequent confrontation involving her lawyer, Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, had raised serious questions about the conduct of state security agencies.
Speaking on Kumasi-based Angel FM, he said the developments were particularly worrying at a time when the government was seeking to consolidate gains in the economy.
“The behaviour of the police in handling the lady’s case is sending NDC to opposition if they don’t know,” he said.
He argued that public confidence could be affected when citizens perceive state institutions as using excessive force or political power in dealing with them.
“When did Ghana use political power to harass citizens?” he asked.
Boateng’s comments followed an incident at the Accra High Court on Wednesday, September 23, when an EOCO official attempted to arrest or secure the attendance of Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah in connection with an ongoing investigation.
EOCO subsequently said the MP had been invited twice in February 2026 to assist with the investigation but had failed to honour the invitations. The agency said the attempted arrest formed part of lawful steps to secure his attendance, although the operation was not completed after the situation escalated.
Baffour Awuah has disputed aspects of the encounter, saying he was willing to go to EOCO but questioned the procedure used by the officer who approached him.
Against that background, Boateng questioned why EOCO Chief Executive Officer Raymond Archer remained in office.
“Personally, I am still at a loss that the EOCO boss is still at post,” he said. “As for this one I will not mince words. This is very embarrassing.”
He also criticised the broader handling of Baffoe’s case, saying the controversy risked overshadowing other issues on which the government had sought to build public confidence.
“The gains made, the stabilisation of the cedi, the President’s vision to build an expressway is being dismantled by the police’s action,” he said.
Baffoe, a senior nursing officer, remains in custody after the High Court on Thursday, September 24, refused her application for bail. The court cited concerns that the cyber-related investigation could be affected through interference with witnesses and directed the Republic to expedite its investigations.
She faces a charge of abetment of crime linked to the alleged publication of false news involving social media personality Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as “Ghana Jollof”.
Boateng said the controversy had become even more troubling because many Ghanaians were already facing economic difficulties.
“At a time when people are faced with hardship, the struggles we are facing and we are being battered with this show of force, then Ghana will not be a place where democracy works,” he said.
He also directed his criticism at the Inspector-General of Police, questioning the conduct of the police in the matter.
“So whoever is the IGP, this is your work. I am really surprised these things are going on,” he said.
