Ghanaian TikToker Jailed for Claiming President Mahama ‘Buried 32 Cows’ to Secure 2024 Election Victory

A court in Ghana has sentenced TikToker Camilla Alhassan to one year in prison after she admitted to publishing false claims that President John Mahama buried 32 cows as part of rituals to secure victory in the 2024 presidential election.

The sentence was handed down by an Accra Circuit Court on Thursday after Alhassan pleaded guilty to charges of offensive conduct and publication of false news.

Mahama, who first became Ghana’s president in 2012, returned to office after winning the 2024 presidential election by a wide margin.

According to reports by Channel One TV, Alhassan circulated videos on TikTok alleging that the president performed ritual sacrifices involving 32 cows to influence the outcome of the election.

The videos attracted widespread attention on social media before the Ghana Police Service arrested her over the allegations.

Speaking after the court proceedings, Alhassan’s lawyer, Kwadwo Gyamfi Bonsu, said the court dismissed a separate charge of electronic abuse after ruling that it lacked jurisdiction to hear that aspect of the case.

He explained that only the charges relating to offensive conduct and publication of false information proceeded to judgment.

Bonsu said the defence pleaded with the court to impose a lighter sentence, urging the judge to consider mitigating circumstances.

However, the court declined the request, holding that the growing spread of false and defamatory content on social media required a punishment capable of discouraging similar offences.

According to the judge, imposing a custodial sentence would serve as a deterrent to others who use digital platforms to circulate unverified allegations capable of damaging reputations and undermining public confidence.

The conviction follows increasing efforts by Ghanaian authorities to address the spread of misinformation and false publications on social media, particularly those involving public officials and politically sensitive matters.

Police investigations reportedly began after Alhassan’s videos gained significant online traction, prompting concerns over the impact of the allegations on public discourse.

The prosecution argued that the claims were entirely false and lacked any factual basis.

The court subsequently accepted Alhassan’s guilty plea before convicting her and imposing the one-year prison sentence.

The ruling has generated debate on social media, with some users supporting tougher action against the spread of false information online, while others raised concerns about balancing accountability with freedom of expression.

The case is expected to remain a reference point in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to combat misinformation across digital platforms.