NDC, NPP under OSP investigation over recent vote-buying allegations

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has opened investigations into alleged vote-buying in recent National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) primaries, citing concerns over voter inducement.

In a public notice issued on February 8, the Office of the Special Prosecutor said it had commenced investigations into the New Patriotic Party’s presidential primary held on January 31, 2026, as well as the National Democratic Congress’ parliamentary primary in Ayawaso East conducted on February 7, 2026.

According to the OSP, the probes are examining “allegations of vote buying, vote selling, and the sources of funding of the alleged corrupt acts,” following reports emerging from both internal party elections.

The notice disclosed that during the NDC’s Ayawaso East parliamentary primary, one of the candidates, Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed, was accused of obstructing the work of investigators.

The OSP said he “allegedly abetted thugs to physically attack an officer of the OSP, who was serving an investigative directive on him in relation to vote buying and vote selling.”

As a result, the Special Prosecutor indicated that it had expanded its scope of inquiry.

“Consequently, the OSP has opened further investigation into the assault of an authorised officer of the OSP in the performance of his functions in relation to Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed,” the statement said.

The OSP further cautioned that electoral corruption remains a serious criminal offence under Ghanaian law, warning that “it is a serious offence to engage in vote buying, vote selling, intimidation, threats of violence, and acts of violence in relation to elections.”

The announcement follows strong action taken by the NDC a day earlier, after reports of inducement during the Ayawaso East primary dominated public discussion.

In a statement dated February 7, 2026, and signed by the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the NDC said its national executives had been alerted to “widespread incidents of inducement and vote buying allegedly perpetuated by some aspirants.”

“The party vehemently condemns these actions in no uncertain terms as they represent an affront to the values and principles of the party and the reset agenda the party is championing,” the statement said.

The party announced it had “immediately instituted a full-scale investigation into this matter” and warned that it would “take swift action against any candidate found culpable.” It also cautioned that “more drastic sanctions would be taken, including possibly cancelling elections,” should similar incidents recur.

The Ayawaso East contest was held to select a parliamentary candidate following the death of sitting MP Naser Toure Mahama last month. Provisional results showed Baba Jamal leading with 431 votes, narrowly ahead of Hajia Amina Adam, who polled 399 votes, while other contenders trailed behind.

Despite the competitive race, the process was overshadowed by allegations that inducements, including the distribution of television sets to delegates, had taken place, prompting scrutiny from both the party and state authorities.

With the OSP’s intervention now extending to both major political parties, the investigations are expected to test enforcement efforts against vote-buy­ing.