Advisor on Gender and Social Protection to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Akosua Manu, has appealed to the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, to ensure that women are not harassed during investigations into anonymous social media commentator “Ghana Jollof”.
In a statement issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026, Akosua Manu raised concerns about reports of women being detained in connection with efforts to identify the commentator.
She urged the CID leadership to exercise restraint and ensure that the investigation does not cause unnecessary harm to innocent people.
Her comments followed the arrest and detention of Salomey Awity Baffoe, a 40-year-old nurse and mother of three from Hansua in the Techiman Municipality.
Salomey was reportedly taken from her home around midnight by persons who identified themselves as National Security operatives over allegations that she had assisted the activities of “Ghana Jollof”.
The development comes after the earlier arrest of NPP social media activist Efya Royal, who was accused of sharing content originally posted by “Ghana Jollof”. She was later granted police inquiry bail of GH¢20,000.
Reacting to the arrests, Akosua Manu warned that such actions could have consequences beyond the current investigation and may become counterproductive.
“You are looking for one ‘Ghana Jollof’, continue harassing women on suspicion and you may create twenty more. That is the cobra effect,” she said.
She added that criticism of governments would not automatically stop because people were afraid of being arrested.
“People will not suddenly stop criticising governments because they are afraid. They become angrier, more anonymous and sometimes even more vicious,” she said.
Akosua Manu also called on COP Lydia Yaako Donkor to consider the responsibility that comes with her position and to handle the investigation with restraint and humanity.
She said women in Ghana already face many challenges and expected a woman occupying such a senior position in the security system to ensure that the law is respected.
“Women in Ghana already fight too many battles. When one of us rises to such an enormously powerful position, we expect her presence to mean something. We expect an educated, exposed woman who understands the law to be one of the strongest voices in the room when somebody suggests bending it,” she noted.
