Ayawaso East probe: Mahama committed to rooting out corruption – Kwakye Ofosu

Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu says President John Dramani Mahama will act decisively against vote buying, stressing that accountability remains central to his administration.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu said the President’s response to allegations surrounding the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary was consistent with commitments made ahead of the 2024 elections.

He explained that Mr Mahama had promised to promote accountability and justice in governance and was now enforcing that pledge.

“Before the 2024 elections, then candidate Mahama pledged to promote accountability and justice in governance,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu said on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen programme on Monday afternoon. “As we speak, there is ORAL, Operation Recover All Loot, charged to probe criminal offences, and former government officials have appeared to account for their stewardship.”

He said the President could not ignore alleged violations of the law simply because of political considerations. “So if there are happenings that violate the law, he cannot say he won’t act,” he added.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that the directive for Baba Jamal to step aside was meant to allow investigations to proceed without interference.

“The President’s move is to penalise the person. So he asked Baba Jamal to step aside for investigations to commence into the matter,” he said.

According to him, the decision was taken strictly in response to allegations of vote buying during the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary.

“So it was in response to vote buying allegations that the President took the decision,” he stated.

The comments come against the backdrop of a decision by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to establish a three-member committee to investigate alleged inducement and vote-buying during the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary held on February 7.

The decision was announced in a statement dated February 7, 2026, and signed by the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, who said the move followed earlier commitments to act decisively on electoral misconduct.

According to the statement, the committee is mandated to investigate “the reported widespread inducement and vote-buying during the Ayawaso East Parliamentary Primaries” conducted over the weekend, following concerns raised by party members and the public.

The committee is chaired by former Information Minister Kofi Totobi Quakyi, with Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and private legal practitioner Emefa Fugah as members. It is expected to submit its findings by Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

“In line with the Party’s commitment to internal democracy, transparency, and ethical political conduct, the Committee will investigate the allegations and make appropriate recommendations, including sanctions where necessary,” the statement said.

The party added that the committee would also propose long-term reforms to decisively end inducement and vote-buying in its internal elections, assuring members and the public that it remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of its processes.

The Ayawaso East primary, organised following the death of sitting MP Naser Toure Mahama, was narrowly won by Baba Jamal amid allegations that inducements, including the distribution of television sets, took place during voting.

Baba Jamal, Ghana’s Ambassador to Nigeria, has denied any wrongdoing as investigations continue.