The Ghana Police Service says its investigation into the TikTok account Ghana Jollof has uncovered financial transactions involving “highly influential” and “high-profile” individuals who allegedly provided funds to support the account’s activities.
Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), COP Lydia Donkor, disclosed this on Friday, September 18, 2026, at a press briefing on the ongoing investigation.
According to COP Donkor, forensic examination of mobile devices and mobile money transaction records enabled investigators to trace significant financial transfers to Salomey Awity Baffoe, a Senior Nursing Officer whom police accuse of aiding the person behind the Ghana Jollof account.
“Forensic examination of audio and video files on the mobile devices in custody, as well as mobile money transaction records, indicates that highly influential persons in society have transferred significant sums of money to the suspect Salomey Awity Baffoe, who in turn shares them with Ghana Jollof.”
She said the Police had also identified individuals considered high-profile in society who allegedly provided financial support for the account’s activities.
“It will interest you to know that the police also know all those, including high-profile persons within our society, who are funding them through information retrieved from her phones.”
COP Donkor said investigations had also uncovered financial arrangements between Salomey and Barbara Asantewa-Koduya, whom the Police identify as the person behind the Ghana Jollof account and who is believed to be in the United Kingdom.
Police allege that Barbara transferred money to Salomey in Ghana to support the activities, after which Salome allegedly distributed portions of the funds to other individuals involved in redistributing the videos across various social media platforms.
“It has also been established that some persons have consistently sponsored the illicit online activities of Barbara Asantewa Kodua financially.”
The CID Director-General said forensic analysis of audio and video files, phone records and other material retrieved during the investigation would be presented as evidence in court.
She said investigators had also identified other individuals allegedly involved in redistributing the videos and were working to locate them, alongside the alleged financial sponsors.
The development comes after Salomey was put before the Adenta Circuit Court on a charge of abetment of crime, to wit, publication of false news.
The court remanded her for two weeks, with the case expected to return on September 30, 2026. She has pleaded not guilty.
Police say Salomey, who resides in Techiman, allegedly assisted Barbara in disseminating videos produced for the Ghana Jollof account by recruiting other individuals to redistribute the content.
COP Donkor said investigators established a relationship between the two women through an examination of Salomey’s phone and other evidence.
“Further investigations have proven, through the examination of her phone and its contents, that the two have been friends.”
Police have accused the Ghana Jollof account of publishing what they describe as false, repulsive and inciteful content capable of causing fear and alarm.
COP Donkor cited one video under investigation in which Barbara allegedly claimed that there had been a near-coup at the Jubilee House.
The Police have since declared Barbara wanted over alleged incitement to violence and believe she may currently be in the United Kingdom.
The investigation has generated public and legal debate over Salomey’s arrest and continued detention. Legal scholar Prof Kwaku Asare has questioned whether the amended charge sheet and police brief facts clearly establish how she allegedly facilitated the specific offence with which she has been charged.
Her lawyer, Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has also questioned the basis for her continued remand, arguing that police had told the court that the person behind the Ghana Jollof account was in the United Kingdom.
The Police maintain that investigations are ongoing and that evidence recovered from phones, financial records and other devices will be used to establish the roles of the various individuals allegedly involved.
COP Donkor warned that online publications or conduct that contravene the Electronic Transactions Act, 2008 (Act 772) and the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) could constitute criminal offences.
She urged Ghanaians to exercise caution in their online engagements and said the Police Service would continue to provide updates on the investigation.
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