A court in Ghana’s capital Accra has granted bail of 80,000 cedis ($13,900; £10,000) to actress Rosemond Brown, pending an appeal against her 90-day jail sentence for posting a naked photo of herself on social media beside her son.
The court ordered Brown, popularly known as Akuapem Poloo, to report to police twice a week, and to hand over her passport. She can travel only with the court’s permission.
She was granted bail because she was a young first-time offender who had shown remorse and had pleaded guilty, the judge said.
The court also considered the welfare of her son when deciding to release her on bail.
Last week, the actress broke down in tears after she was jailed.
She was found guilty of publishing obscene materials, engaging in domestic violence and undermining the privacy and integrity of another person – and was taken into custody.
In the photo, posted last July to celebrate her son’s seventh birthday, she is crouching, facing the boy and holding his hands. He is wearing underpants. Her breasts are hidden by her long hair.
The image when viral and there was a huge backlash online.
The actress, who often posts photos of herself with her son on social media, apologised, but was invited for questioning by the police.
Handing down sentence, Judge Christiana Cann said the jail sentence would serve as a deterrent to the general public given increasing levels of moral decadence in the country.
Some agreed with the judge’s remarks, though social media users had been calling for the actress’s release using the hashtag #FreeAkuapemPoloo.
Celebrities like Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie said it was harsh to separate a child from his mother.
According to another report seen by 9News Nigeria, the Ghanaian actress, Rosemond Brown was finally granted bail by a court in the capital Accra, pending an appeal after she was convicted for posting nude photos of herself beside her son on social media.
The actress also known as Akuapem Poloo posted a raunchy picture of herself squatting down while holding hands with her confused-looking son during the celebration of his seventh birthday.
Akuapem was found guilty on Friday of publishing obscene materials, domestic violence and undermining the privacy and integrity of another person.
She was sentenced to 90 days in jail.
According to the prosecutor, “I’m naked in front of you because this is how naked I was giving birth to you, so in case you find me lying somewhere, don’t pass by but see me as your mom who brought you to life.”
The photo was shared on social media back in 2020.
The actress, who is quite fond of posting her pics on social media, apologized for her actions but the judge went on to issue the verdict.
The judge said the verdict would serve as a deterrent to the public especially the youths.
“It has become a worrying trend on Ghana’s social media space indicating that this message should serve as a disincentive to others,” Judge Christiana Cann said.
The photo went viral within a short term eliciting mixed reactions from many Ghanaians including American singer Cardi B.
