An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced 43-year-old TikToker Camilla Alhassan to one year in prison after she pleaded guilty to charges of offensive conduct and publishing false news. The conviction stems from a series of videos posted on TikTok in which Alhassan falsely alleged that President John Dramani Mahama performed ritual sacrifices involving 32 cows to secure victory in Ghana’s 2024 general election. According to prosecutors, the allegations were made without any evidence and were intended to spread false information capable of causing public alarm.
Alhassan also claimed that the government’s distribution of sanitary pads to victims affected by the June 29 floods was part of an effort to conceal the alleged rituals. Investigators said the claims were entirely fabricated and unsupported by any credible evidence. The court handed down the sentence on Thursday after Alhassan admitted to all the charges brought against her.
Before sentencing, she had been remanded into custody while the court awaited the outcome of a pregnancy test, a procedural requirement considered before imposing a custodial sentence. The case highlights Ghana’s efforts to tackle the spread of misinformation and false content on social media, particularly allegations involving public officials that could undermine public confidence or incite unrest. Authorities have repeatedly urged the public to verify information before sharing it online and warned that individuals who knowingly publish false news may face prosecution under Ghanaian law.
