A Ghanaian court has sentenced a social media content creator, Camilla Alhassan, to one year in prison for publishing false claims that President John Mahama performed rituals involving the burial of 32 cows to secure victory in the 2024 presidential election.
An Accra Circuit Court handed down the sentence on Thursday after Alhassan pleaded guilty to charges of offensive conduct and the publication of false information.
The case stemmed from videos shared on TikTok in which the influencer alleged that Mahama buried 32 cows as part of a ritual intended to ensure his electoral success. The claims gained widespread attention after circulating on social media platforms.
According to local media reports, the court convicted and sentenced Alhassan following her guilty plea.
Her lawyer, Kwadwo Gyamfi Bonsu, said the court, however, struck out a separate charge of electronic abuse, ruling that it lacked jurisdiction to hear that aspect of the case.
Bonsu told journalists that the defence had appealed for leniency, but the judge determined that a custodial sentence was necessary in light of the growing prevalence of similar offences and the need to discourage the spread of false information.
Alhassan was arrested by the Ghana Police Service after authorities launched investigations into the viral videos.
President Mahama, who first assumed office in 2012, returned to power after winning the 2024 presidential election by a wide margin.
The case has reignited debate in Ghana over the responsibility of social media users and the legal consequences of spreading unverified or defamatory claims online.