Ghanaian TikToker re-arrested over alleged threats against President John Mahama

Ghanaian TikTok personality Mahama Aminat, widely known online as "Bawumia Ba," has been re-arrested as police continue investigating allegations that she threatened President John Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama in videos shared on social media.

Videos circulating online show Aminat arriving at the Accra Circuit Court under police escort following her arrest on July 17.

According to Ghana Police, the case stems from TikTok videos in which Aminat allegedly made threatening remarks directed at the president and the first lady.

The social media influencer was initially arrested on May 20, 2026, on allegations of offensive conduct and making threats against the country's first family.

Two days later, she was granted bail of GH₵1 million (around $86,000). As part of her bail conditions, she was ordered to surrender her passport or Ghana Card and report regularly to police while investigations continued.

Authorities later took her back into custody before presenting her before the Accra Circuit Court on July 20. She now faces a charge of offensive conduct, and the court has granted her fresh bail of GH₵50,000 (about $4,300). The bail requires two sureties, including one civil servant earning at least GH₵2,500 per month.

The case comes just days after another Ghanaian, Camilla Alhassan, was sentenced to one year in prison after being convicted of offensive conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace under Section 207 of Ghana's Criminal Offences Act.

Police say investigations into Aminat's case are still underway. Her next court appearance has been scheduled for August 3, 2026.

The case has also renewed debate over how Ghana handles speech-related offences. The Media Foundation for West Africa has argued that prison sentences are not the best response to offensive or indecent online speech.

The organisation is urging courts to consider non-custodial alternatives instead of imprisonment in cases involving freedom of expression.