The President of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, has reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to supporting Nurse Salomey Awiti Baffoe in her ongoing legal battle over the politically charged Ghana Jollof case, amid questions about the union leader’s perceived political neutrality.
Mrs Ofori-Ampofo gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to Nurse Baffoe in the Bono Region on the first official day of the GRNMA National Executive Committee’s Phase Three Regional Tour.
She said the Association had followed the case from the outset and assigned legal representatives to provide the nurse with the necessary assistance.
Although the case did not arise from Nurse Baffoe’s professional duties, Mrs Ofori-Ampofo said the GRNMA remained committed to supporting her throughout the legal process.
The Association assured the nurse that it would continue to stand by her and provide the necessary assistance as the proceedings continued, describing the visit as part of its broader commitment to its members’ welfare.
However, the GRNMA’s intervention comes against the backdrop of public debate over the political dimensions of the case, which has increasingly been framed as a contest between the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Mrs Ofori-Ampofo has faced public claims linking her to the NPP, primarily because her husband is the party’s constituency chairman for Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro.
Critics and some social media commentators have questioned her political neutrality, citing her marital ties and what they perceive as selective engagement by the Association in broader labour actions.
Mrs Ofori-Ampofo has, however, publicly stated that she is not registered with any political party and has rejected suggestions that her husband’s political affiliation influences her leadership of the union or its decisions on industrial action.
As head of the nurses and midwives’ professional association, she regularly engages political leaders on healthcare policies, working conditions and the welfare of health professionals.
In September 2026, she held an official meeting with NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at the GRNMA headquarters to discuss healthcare policies, working conditions and workforce welfare.
Although such engagements form part of the Association’s interactions with political stakeholders, her support for Nurse Baffoe is likely to intensify scrutiny of the GRNMA leadership’s handling of politically sensitive matters.
urse Baffoe has been charged with abetment of crime, to wit, publication of false news, under Sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The case is linked to allegations that she assisted Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as Ghana Jollof, in circulating videos and recruiting others to distribute the content.
Nurse Baffoe has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The police have reportedly described the senior nurse as a liaison for Ghana Jollof, a political commentator whose pronouncements have attracted controversy.
The case also involves allegations of threats against President John Dramani Mahama, his wife, Lordina Mahama, and members of their household in the course of political commentary.
The allegations remain subject to the legal process.
The GRNMA’s latest assurance underscores its position that a member’s welfare remains a union concern even when the circumstances giving rise to legal proceedings fall outside the performance of professional duties.
Nevertheless, the Association’s intervention is unfolding in an increasingly polarized political atmosphere, where the actions of public figures and professional bodies are often interpreted through partisan lenses.
For Mrs Ofori-Ampofo, the challenge will be to sustain confidence in the GRNMA’s impartiality while fulfilling its commitment to supporting a member facing criminal proceedings.
