Vote-buying claims: Baba Jamal recalled as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria

President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the immediate recall of Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed from his position as Ghana’s High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria following allegations of voter inducement during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary in the Ayawaso East Constituency.

The directive, contained in a statement issued by the Presidency Communications Unit and dated February 7, 2026, said the decision was taken in line with the standards of conduct expected of public officers, despite ongoing internal party investigations into the matter.

According to the Presidency, allegations of vote-buying were made against several candidates who contested the Ayawaso East primary. However, Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among the aspirants, a factor that informed the President’s decision to act swiftly.

“Without prejudice to the ongoing internal party processes, and strictly in view of the standards of conduct expected of public officers, the President considers it necessary to act decisively to preserve the integrity of public office and to avoid any perception of impropriety or conflict with the Government’s Code of Conduct for Political Appointees,” the statement said.

The President has consequently directed the Minister for Foreign Affairs to take the necessary administrative and diplomatic steps to give effect to the recall, which takes immediate effect.

The recall comes hours after Baba Jamal emerged winner of the closely contested NDC parliamentary primary, polling 431 votes to defeat his nearest challenger, Hajia Amina Adam, who secured 399 votes, according to provisional results released after the exercise. Mohammed Ramne placed third with 88 votes, while Dr Yakubu Azimdow polled 45 votes and Najib Sani obtained one vote.

Baba Jamal’s victory positions him for a return to Parliament following the death of the Ayawaso East Member of Parliament, Naser Toure Mahama, last month. The primary attracted significant public attention, particularly with the participation of Hajia Amina Adam, widow of the late MP, who had been widely tipped by political analysts and pollsters to win the contest.

However, the exercise was overshadowed by reports of alleged inducement, including claims that television sets were distributed to some delegates. The NDC has since condemned the alleged acts and announced the commencement of a full-scale investigation into the matter.

In a statement issued by the party’s national secretariat, the NDC said it had taken note of “widespread incidents of inducement and vote buying allegedly perpetuated by some aspirants,” adding that appropriate sanctions would be applied to any individual found culpable.

The party further warned that future infractions could attract tougher sanctions, including the possible cancellation of internal elections, as it seeks to protect the integrity of its democratic processes.

The Presidency statement announcing Baba Jamal’s recall was signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP), Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications.