Ghanaian TikToker jailed for claiming President Mahama sacrificed 32 cows

A Ghanaian court has sentenced TikToker Camilla Alhassan to one year in prison for publishing false claims about President John Mahama. Alhassan, 43, admitted to spreading misinformation in videos posted on TikTok, alleging the president sacrificed 32 cows for election victory and that government aid was a cover-up.

The court rejected her plea for a lighter sentence, emphasizing the need to deter the spread of misinformation on social media. Prosecutors stated Alhassan, who has over 70,000 followers, made false and defamatory allegations widely shared online.

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a prison term was necessary to discourage the growing spread of misinformation on social media.

Her conviction has intensified discussions in Ghana about how to tackle misinformation while upholding freedom of expression. This case follows a similar conviction in September last year, where another TikToker was jailed for making death threats against the president and lawmakers.

The Mahama administration has previously warned against online falsehoods and is considering legislation to address misinformation while safeguarding constitutional protections for free speech.

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made false and defamatory allegations against the president through videos that were widely shared online.